1
as in improves
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 trims
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 straightens (up or out)
Verb
-
But as the technology improves, the data could become more sensitive.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026 -
Quiet propulsion advantage A key feature of the aircraft is Whisper Aero’s JetFoil technology, which the company says improves efficiency while reducing acoustic signatures.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Coppola's preferred version of the film, Final Cut, removes or trims a handful of sequences, including the exchange between Willard (Martin Sheen) and the Playboy Playmates, and Kurtz (Marlon Brando) reading from TIME magazine.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
-
For 2026, the hybrid is offered in LXS, EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims.—
Michael Harley,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Her welcoming manner draws out from the audience the different ways sand behaves both like a solid and like a liquid.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
Not just how much leverage a company carries, but how that leverage behaves under stress.—
Richard Polgar,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The measure amends the city's general plan and land use framework to add a citywide ban on data centers, according to city officials.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
The legislation amends the Brown Act to diversify and increase public engagement in meetings of local legislative bodies.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
There’s that churro bread pudding, the one with a junkyard origin story that breaks down the churros and then reforms them into a dense and perfect block as powerful as an Avengers movie prop.—
Mike Sutter,
San Antonio Express-News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Kentucky's General Assembly has passed House Bill 2, which reforms the state's Medicaid program.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Apr. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Straightens (up or out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightens%20%28up%20or%20out%29. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
