1
as in direct
going straight to the point clearly and firmly
a straightforward account of the football game with no digressions or personal comments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in linear
free from irregularities or digressions in course
the missile continued on its straightforward path toward the enemy's command post
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in honest
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
I want you to be straightforward with me and tell me if this dress looks awful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
the distinction between the two types of offenses is pretty straightforward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also straightforwards
as in openly
in an honest and direct manner
she finally told him straightforward that she wasn't interested in a date
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of straightforward
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Carter argued that the easiest, most straightforward thing is to end Operation Metro Surge.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
When the Trump administration announced last month that every new H-1B visa would come with a $100,000 fee, the objective seemed straightforward: encourage companies, particularly tech companies that rely heavily on the program, to start hiring American workers and stop driving down American wages.
—Aditi Sangal, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Adjective
Krischik explains that the goal of her session was pretty straightforward.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Carter argued that the easiest, most straightforward thing is to end Operation Metro Surge.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Adverb
The mix’s seasoning veers straightforward and notably doesn’t list horseradish.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
When the Trump administration announced last month that every new H-1B visa would come with a $100,000 fee, the objective seemed straightforward: encourage companies, particularly tech companies that rely heavily on the program, to start hiring American workers and stop driving down American wages.
—Aditi Sangal, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightforward
Adjective
-
Your boss’s boss is your direct line to visibility.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
If dark matter’s only interactions are gravitational, direct detection might truly be a physical impossibility for us.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
One of the great things about this class is that nobody’s path has been entirely linear.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Traditional television, meanwhile, is forecast to decline by a cumulative $8 billion as linear advertising and pay-TV subscriptions continue to erode.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Any chats about delicate topics may feel awkward, so begin with appreciation and keep questions open to invite honest replies.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The mother of three maintains open and honest communication within her own household of women in an attempt to change the narrative about physical and personal beauty standards.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Heat are muddling along with a roster that isn’t good enough to do anything of significance, have no young player with obvious star upside, can’t create significant cap room for at least two more years and owe a future pick to the Hornets from the disastrous Terry Rozier trade.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
There is no obvious sign any of the officers were injured.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
31 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Senior executives speak openly about the potential for better customer experience, better products, and fundamentally new business models enabled by AI.—
Peter Bendor-Samuel,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Nipple and areola changes Nipple and areola changes are extremely common postpartum, especially for breastfeeding parents—yet they’re rarely talked about openly.—
Alex Vance,
Parents,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
After interviewing for multiple head coaching jobs this month, McDaniel agreed to join Jim Harbaugh with the Chargers, who finished their second straight 11-6 season under their veteran head coach with another playoff exit in the wild-card round.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Transfer icing to a pastry bag fitted with a very small straight tip (or use a resealable plastic bag and snip off one corner); pipe a pattern on top of marzipan as desired.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Omar has been an outspoken critic of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations surge in the Twin Cities, repeatedly calling for Noem’s impeachment.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Jan. 2026
-
In conversations with state lawmakers who have been outspoken on gun rights, and with two Idaho attorneys who focus on constitutional rights, the Idaho Statesman heard a range of reactions to Pretti’s shooting.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But the security pitfalls are equally apparent.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
One month later, Epstein died in an apparent suicide while awaiting trial at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightforward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightforward. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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