1
as in shaping up
to change one's behavior or character for the better
I hope that rehab will help her straighten up for good
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in trimming
to make neat
a directive for everyone to straighten up their cubicle in preparation for a visit from some corporate VIPs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightening (up or out)
Verb
-
The race is shaping up as a high-profile test of whether Democrats can regain a footing in Florida, where the party has not won a Senate seat since 2012 and where Republicans hold a voter registration advantage.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Apr. 2026 -
This is shaping up to be the most capital-intensive technology transition in modern history, and the gains from that investment are flowing disproportionately to those few who own the infrastructure behind it.—
Ravi Kumar S,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Officials will spend months trimming, adding to and massaging the financial books to address residents’ priorities.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In 2018, seventeen-year-old landscaper Alex Childress was rushed to the hospital with third-degree burns on his face after unknowingly trimming giant hogweed.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In improving to 35-3, South Carolina’s 6-foot-3 All-American Joyce Edwards scored 24 points and had 12 rebounds, nine on the offensive glass in overwhelming TCU.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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Small changes—from better moisturizing to improving your immediate workspace—can make a noticeable difference.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Storms organizing to our west late Wednesday evening move into North Texas overnight.—
Michael Autovino,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Human beings have built homes in many different environments, settling the area and organizing it into units such as cities, states, regions, and countries, each with its own points of interest.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The option can reduce taxes on that one-time payment and does not require amending a prior return, according to the IRS.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Lorie Konish,Kamaron McNair,Greg Iacurci,Mike Winters,Sarah Agostino,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
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Meantime, leaders are considering amending figure skating’s rules and technical requirements that will prioritize athlete longevity, potentially at the expense of boundary-pushing quadruple jumps.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But arranging spheres becomes significantly more complex in higher dimensions, which allow for more arrangements and symmetries.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2026
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Unbeknownst to Audrey, her cousin had secretly coordinated with several of her closest friends, arranging surprise appearances on the plane and at their destination.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Straightening (up or out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightening%20%28up%20or%20out%29. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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