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
-
Dowdle had just rumbled into the end zone for his second touchdown of what was shaping up to be a great day.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Nov. 2025 -
The medical costs are shaping up to be significant.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Tidy it up, trimming off any leggy, weak winter growth.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Arrange soaked ladyfingers in a single layer in bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish, trimming or breaking ladyfingers as needed to fit.—
Amanda Holstein,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Across Brazil, nearly three-quarters of citizens believe city climate initiatives are improving both the environment and their daily quality of life.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Mayo is a community activist and nonprofit leader whose organization Transforming Nations Ford focuses on improving the Nations Ford and Arrowood corridor.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The police department’s various districts are organizing fundraisers to send officers to National Police Week.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Something that makes any trip easier is organizing all my devices and their charging cables into one place.—
John Lonsdale,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The policy change affecting Ocean Beach was characterized by city officials as amending the municipal code to simply clarify what was already allowed.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Others whisper about amending the 22nd Amendment.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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E-commerce transactions are managed end-to-end without friction, from building a shopping cart and applying discounts to arranging delivery and processing returns.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
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Join Chloe Mullen, a junior at Cathedral Catholic High School and member of the National Honor Society, for a special flower arranging workshop.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Nov. 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 9 Dec. 2025.
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