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
-
From uncertainty around Federal Reserve leadership to rising geopolitical tensions and the disruptive force of AI, 2026 is already shaping up to be a defining year for the hedge fund landscape.—
Carrie McCabe,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026 -
Here’s how things are shaping up.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Nash kick-started things with a quick six points to open the third quarter, trimming it to a one-point game at 40-39.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
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This time, though, the Heat put together a 10-0 run as part of trimming the deficit to 103-92 entering the fourth.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Corporate use cases include employee well-being programs aimed at reducing burnout and improving focus.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Lazzarini was in Turkey for talks with officials on improving humanitarian access in Gaza.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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By organizing around these strengths, firms created a world of selling that still looks surprisingly similar to how many digital platforms operate today.—
Paula de la Cruz,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Don’t worry too much about organizing everything perfectly here.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Maybe amending the Sports Broadcasting Act is part of a solution that unlocks billions in television revenue.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
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The settlement will lead to NASCAR amending existing charters with new terms.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Traveling around the world, arranging meetings with whoever is the oldest at that particular moment in time, Green struggles to formulate the right questions to ask these people.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
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Start with seasonal ideas, such as a floral-arranging class, pie-making challenge, pumpkin-carving party, or a paint-and-sip.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
13 Jan. 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 26 Jan. 2026.
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