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
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
That straightforward reasoning didn’t stop 6th Ward Ald.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 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
But figuring out what’s excavating without your permission isn’t straightforward.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
That straightforward reasoning didn’t stop 6th Ward Ald.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 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
-
But as online marketplaces widen their delivery network across the country and social media marketing levels the playing field, direct-to-consumer, or D2C, brands are on the rise in India, according to experts.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
-
And even direct calls were becoming indirect.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
There is no guarantee their rebuild will take a linear upward trajectory.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
-
The company already offers measurement of outcomes and has been working to incorporate those efforts into Nielsen One, the system currently used to determine viewership of TV programs across linear and digital screens.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
So there is no real secret behind the scenes—just to work, to be honest, to meet personally with the people, to look into their eyes.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
Stability grows through honest and thoughtful adjustments.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
There are obvious questions there.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
This abuse of power was obvious and alarming.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Adverb
-
After months of allowing customers to openly carry guns in its Florida stores, Publix appears to have changed its policy.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
7 May 2026
-
Critics warn that openly discussing armed resistance could endanger protesters, deepen divisions inside the opposition and risk pushing Iran toward civil war.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt missed his second straight game because of a viral infection but is expected to be back in the dugout Tuesday night.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Boone’s words proved prescient, as Weathers, just a tad trimmer, retired 13 straight Baltimore batters following a game-opening walk.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Since retiring in 2022, she's been an outspoken advocate for mothers in professional sports and beyond.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Chaplin Award Gala has previously recognized Hollywood figures who have been outspoken about current political events, including Pedro Almodóvar, Spike Lee and Robert Redford.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The apparent bear attack took place nearly three decades after the last deadly bear attack in Glacier National Park occurred in 1998 in the Two Medicine Valley.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
But their apparent domestic paradise was thrown into disarray when Betty began to suspect her husband was having an affair with his younger office assistant, Linda Kolkena.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightforward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightforward. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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