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
-
Meanwhile, third-quarter growth is shaping up to be hotter.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 Sep. 2025 -
With construction underway, the project is shaping up as more than just the latest luxury escape.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Thankfully, a shelter volunteer, Nikki Miller, took up Chase’s cause, giving him a bath, trimming his nails and shaving his fur to get him back to looking his best again.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Its trimming rippled in the afternoon wind.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The concept is raising concerns that the bloc is still too slow in improving its deterrence options, however.—
Silvia Amaro,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Needham analyst Tom Nikic said that while top-line trends were improving, there were still some pain points, including incremental tariff headwinds.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hangers That Don’t Match Since her clients hire her to help create a clean, organized look, Tonia Tomlin of Sorted Out, a professional organizing company in Dallas, Texas, heads right for the closets and starts ditching all hangers that don’t match.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Certainly, some grassroots groups are organizing effectively.—
Sarah Stankorb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The two Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 limited the power of the House of Lords, preventing it from amending or blocking laws relating to budgeting.—
Garret Martin,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
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The most notable difference is amending the Sports Broadcasting Act, a move supporters believe will pave the way for more than 130 major college football schools to substantially increase their media rights revenue.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Elite Asian Matchmaker is a white-glove service that handles all the logistics, from vetting potential matches to arranging dates, allowing clients to simply show up and enjoy the experience.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
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The tour company optimized the schedule to match workers' paid time off, by arranging departure days scheduled around holidays or weekends, which minimizes the days a traveler would need to take from work.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Oct. 2025
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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 7 Oct. 2025.
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