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
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Here’s a look at where to spot bluebonnets across Central Texas and how their growth patterns are shaping up.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026 -
With two months to go until the primary election, Democratic candidates are trying to stand out in what's shaping up to be a crowded field.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With Vanity Fair trimming its guest list down to the bone and Warners not throwing the kind of party people like me were invited to, Neon’s Oscar party at Mother Wolf became the de facto post–Governors’ Ball gathering spot.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Silver plunged more than 13% before trimming losses.—
Yvonne Yue Li,
Bloomberg,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While state lawmakers have passed nearly 50 new laws aimed at improving youth mental health, Colorado Health Institute found 44% of kids who needed care last year didn't get it due to a lack of money or insurance.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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While trading away Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas certainly doesn’t make the defense better on paper, the team also acquired draft capital in 2026 to go toward improving the defensive side of the ball.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fox News Digital has reached out to Singham and the groups organizing the pro-regime protests.—
Asra Q. Nomani,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
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And how some close to him bristled when asked questions about his authoritarian streak and his departure from organizing, distractions that left the union’s power flagging.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On Thursday, before the House commerce committee advanced the sports authority bill, Xu proposed amending it to make the team representative a non-voting member of the board.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
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As such, Vietnam is drawing down duties on oil by amending the preferential import tax for gasoline, diesel, and gasoline production raw materials.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Throughout the year, guests can partake in flower arranging workshops, cooking classes, tastings, and seminars at the Culinary Academy with Executive Chef Riccardo Bacciottini.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
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Madrazo also has great discernment in subtly arranging pictorial props, such as clothing, cards or flowers, that stage his winsome female figures to good effect.—
Benjamin Lima
Special Contributor,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 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 23 Mar. 2026.
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