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
Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Both organisms produce complex structures using relatively straightforward ingredients.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The mix’s seasoning veers straightforward and notably doesn’t list horseradish.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Adjective
Santat’s illustrations begin with straightforward, muted sincerity and become brighter, busier, and more gleeful—filling every corner of the page—as Sharpson’s narrator becomes ever more unhinged, ranting about fish spies, fish disguises, and fish taking over the world.
—Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Both organisms produce complex structures using relatively straightforward ingredients.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Adverb
The market's logic seemed straightforward: more efficient AI means less demand for chips, less demand for data centers, less demand for power.
—Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The mix’s seasoning veers straightforward and notably doesn’t list horseradish.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightforward
Adjective
-
In a season where much of the discourse at the top of English football has been about the return of direct football, one club in the country’s fourth tier have seemingly perfected the art form.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In his return to television after almost a decade, Mangold is set to co-write, direct and executive produce a series adaptation of his movie, from Paramount Television Studios and Miramax Television.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
By way of comparison, the NFL in 2024-25 reached a linear-TV audience with a median HH income of $87,800, with Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football beating all other league partners at $101,800.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Ulloa bounces between a linear, historical telling of the political, economic and racial shifts in the area and the personal accounts of five families from the region, including her own.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With the intuitive Moon in your sign, your 1st House of Perception asks for honest self-expression without overthinking.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
-
More astute attention to character development, and more honest portrayals of how most of us really live.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Make kind choices and keep boundaries obvious.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2026
-
That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
And a president openly threatening to commit war crimes by targeting civilian infrastructure in Iran—and floating preemptive strikes against Cuba.—
John Whitehead,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
-
One source speculated that the portraits of the Bezoses may have been inspired by Condé journalists openly dreading the prospect of the billionaires owning Vogue and having Sánchez calling the shots.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Hoerner’s sacrifice fly in the 10th inning plated Crow-Armstrong and sparked the Cubs to their fifth-straight win — and extended the Mets’ skid to 11 games, their longest since 2004.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Campora styled it straight with a slight bend to the ends, parting it deeply to one side with a portion of hair brushed slightly over one eye.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lai, an outspoken critic of China’s ruling Communist Party who founded the now-defunct newspaper Apple Daily, was convicted in December of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiring with others to publish seditious articles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The outspoken councilmember, whose district includes Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, Silver Lake and the San Fernando Valley, filed her paperwork on February 7.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The following year, Salling died at age 35 of an apparent suicide.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightforward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightforward. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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