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 straight
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
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 15 Oct. 2025
The ambidextrous mouse is similarly straightforward, equipped with two buttons, a scroll wheel, and an optical sensor.
—PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
Audrey Bruno, SELF, 14 Oct. 2024
While the concept of divestment from Israel appears straightforward—selling off shares of companies with ties to the country—its practical implications are far more complex.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 2 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Adjective
When asked about her advice for Black women trying to lead with impact in spaces that weren’t built for them, her answer is straightforward.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 15 Oct. 2025
The ambidextrous mouse is similarly straightforward, equipped with two buttons, a scroll wheel, and an optical sensor.
—PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Despite seeming straightforward, microwaves aren’t standardized, so finding your machine’s power settings in the first place can be confusing, Chen says.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 14 Oct. 2024
While the concept of divestment from Israel appears straightforward—selling off shares of companies with ties to the country—its practical implications are far more complex.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 2 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightforward
Adjective
-
Earlier this year, China and India agreed to resume direct flights, which had been suspended since the COVID pandemic.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Pino is more technically adept than Sarr, a threat with his direct, intelligent runs in behind back lines and his calm finishing.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
At several points in 2024, WBD shares slipped below $7 as the company’s massive debt load and linear TV exposure appeared to be insurmountable challenges.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Her brain cannot compute — because there’s something so linear about education.—
Nikki McCann Ramirez,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Her fashion designer husband, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud, was sentenced to five months behind bars, two years of supervised release, 250 hours of community service, and a $250,000 fine.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Be honest and then seek out stretch experiences, reading and other ways to learn to fill those gaps.—
Vicki Salemi,
Boston Herald,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
However, the severity of the storm soon became obvious.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
-
After curing the potatoes, pick through them once more and remove any potatoes with obvious signs of damage.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Lift your left arm straight up toward the ceiling.—
Mallory Creveling,
Health,
22 Oct. 2025
-
These jeans are fashionable and comfortable enough to take me from the airport terminal straight to the office.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The promise of artificial intelligence is that the desktop will disappear entirely and users will only interact with a chatbot or a voice that will carry out their bidding through plain language alone, morphing the entire computer into an anthropomorphized character.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
22 Oct. 2025
-
It can be enjoyed plain, sweetened, or with a squeeze of lemon.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tariq Bokhari was known for his outspoken approach that landed the city in hot water earlier this year.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Across the tech industry, workers have become more outspoken in their criticism of business dealings with the Israeli military.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The production, the rhythm, the message and Langley’s unmistakable voice meld mightily to make this an irresistible track and further cement Langley as one of the genre’s brightest newcomers.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Analyzing over 20 million AI shopping agent conversations revealed an unmistakable pattern.—
Fayez Mohamood,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straightforward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightforward. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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