STRAIGHTENING (UP OR OUT) Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

straightening (up or out)

verb

present participle of straighten (up or out)

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in trimming

to make neat a directive for everyone to straighten up their cubicle in preparation for a visit from some corporate VIPs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightening (up or out)

Verb

The fall festival season is shaping up fast this week, with announcements imminent from Toronto and New York as well.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
However, this is also shaping up as a beautiful day, despite forecasts predicting rising heat.

— Ed Silverman, STAT, 14 July 2026

Definition of shaping up

Verb

Rather than just trimming stems and plopping them in a vase, reflexing plays with the form of the flower by gently folding petals backwards to open up the bloom.

— Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
Even the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are still sitting on a huge haul of future draft capital, had to start trimming their supporting cast this offseason because Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams’ max extensions kicked in.

— Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of trimming

Verb

Fedorov, previously Ukraine’s minister for digital transformation, had been in the job for just six months and was popular among troops for improving pay and frontline rotations.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Intel's willingness to buy these expensive machines is a positive signal that its foundry (chip industry-speak for manufacturing) is expanding capacity and improving yields for leading-edge chips.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Definition of improving

Verb

Jean started organizing her daily routines around their conversations, and dreaming of their future together — a big house, a blended family, a new beginning.

— Juliet Linderman, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Here, the focus naturally turns toward organizing your thoughts, tackling errands and paying attention to the routines that shape your life.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Definition of organizing

Verb

Congress reacted to that ruling by amending the act to create the incidental take program.

— Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Recently, the Illinois Register proposed amending the administrative code to update the definitions of the various alcohol categories solely by their production process — not their alcohol content.

— Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of amending

Verb

The neighborhood association hasn’t had much luck arranging a meeting with city officials.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
Viewers witnessed her arranging flowers, harvesting honey, talking about jam and sprinkling edible flowers over various dishes.

— Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Definition of arranging

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straightening (up)

straightening (up or out)

straighten (out)

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“Straightening (up or out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightening%20%28up%20or%20out%29. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of straightening (up or out)

verb

Example Sentences

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