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

But a gold rush is shaping up to profit from new workarounds to the Strait of Hormuz.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 30 July 2026
Friday’s Bank of Japan decision is shaping up to be the most consequential moment of Governor Kazuo Ueda’s tenure — and a defining fork in the economic path.

— William Pesek, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of shaping up

Verb

People making folk music around the world have a nonprofit based in Kansas City to thank for improving their odds of scoring a Grammy Award next year.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Instead, every renovation must navigate a delicate balance between improving the fan experience and preserving the architectural integrity of one of the nation's few National Historic Landmarks dedicated to sports.

— Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of improving

Verb

The organizing committee said earlier this week that 12 million people have registered.

— Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Most enterprises have data spread across dozens of platforms, and each one has its own way of storing, organizing and granting access to that data.

— Michel Tricot, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of organizing

Verb

Democrats and Republican leaders both surveyed members last week on the college sports plan, which indicated an uncertain whip count on the floor and work still to do on amending the plan, according to senators and aides.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 July 2026
Congress reacted to that ruling by amending the act to create the incidental take program.

— Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

Definition of amending

Verb

Soon, a dozen volunteers gathered under the banner, arranging themselves according to height, like youngsters poised for a class portrait.

— Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026
Police footage featured in The Idaho Murders shows responding officers escorting Murphy out of the house and arranging for him to be taken to Animal Services.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 29 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 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of straightening (up or out)

verb

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