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
-
Murphy, a senior center fielder, is shaping up as a potential first-round pick.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026 -
The high cost of power bills is shaping up to be a political issue in this year's midterm elections.—
Tamara Keith,
NPR,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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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The series will follow a brotherhood of stylish entrepreneurial men over 50 who share their expertise with men who need help elevating their looks, improving their physical and mental health and more.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The firm said switching rates are improving to five-year highs.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He and Mason envision using the app in conjunction with a sports property, like organizing nationwide college tournaments for World Pong without the cost of dispatching operators to each location.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
That’s a song about a heavy topic — organizing an intervention for one of your best friends.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Assessing winter damage, repairing trouble spots, amending soil, planting wisely, and protecting your investment form the backbone of a successful year in the vegetable patch.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2026
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The House failed to pass a measure that would propose amending the Constitution to require the federal government to have a balanced budget, a measure offered by conservatives to address the ever-increasing national debt.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
18 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 27 Mar. 2026.
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