as in openly
in an honest and direct manner
straightforwardly yet compassionately, the doctor tells his cancer patients what their odds for survival are
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Recent Examples of straightforwardly
If Winifred is instantly, bizarrely offputting, her employers are more straightforwardly ghastly.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 May 2026
The hero of Vidal’s novel is straightforwardly based on Hearst, while the wealthy, castle-dwelling Californian in Huxley’s novel bears a more veiled, but still unmistakable, resemblance to him.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
While there could be ways around that prohibition—like using the 25th Amendment to temporarily step down from the presidency and then have the vice president pardon the president—presidents could not straightforwardly issue a pardon to themselves, the Nixon-era DOJ wrote.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Wyle sees the fandom response stemming from a desire for Robby to remain straightforwardly good, not a reflection of the show’s shifting priorities about which characters are emphasized or how they’re portrayed.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Superpowers rarely inflict such swift and straightforwardly embarrassing injury to themselves.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
Trump does indeed need to get congressional approval to build this thing, wrote the judge, explaining straightforwardly that the president is merely the steward of the White House.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 1 Apr. 2026
Scalable and practical The system’s architecture scales straightforwardly.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
This straightforwardly noble approach surely has some uses.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 22 Mar. 2026
Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 May 2026
The hero of Vidal’s novel is straightforwardly based on Hearst, while the wealthy, castle-dwelling Californian in Huxley’s novel bears a more veiled, but still unmistakable, resemblance to him.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
While there could be ways around that prohibition—like using the 25th Amendment to temporarily step down from the presidency and then have the vice president pardon the president—presidents could not straightforwardly issue a pardon to themselves, the Nixon-era DOJ wrote.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Wyle sees the fandom response stemming from a desire for Robby to remain straightforwardly good, not a reflection of the show’s shifting priorities about which characters are emphasized or how they’re portrayed.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Superpowers rarely inflict such swift and straightforwardly embarrassing injury to themselves.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
Trump does indeed need to get congressional approval to build this thing, wrote the judge, explaining straightforwardly that the president is merely the steward of the White House.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 1 Apr. 2026
Scalable and practical The system’s architecture scales straightforwardly.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
This straightforwardly noble approach surely has some uses.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightforwardly
Adverb
-
Furthermore, a recent Financial Times investigation revealed that even when AI developers implement guardrails to prevent bad actors from misusing them, protections can be bypassed using openly available software tools in less than 10 minutes.—
Mohammad Hosseini,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2026
-
In the other room, Kayda is entertaining Bryce and Zach, who are openly drooling, and the scene could not look more like Challengers if Zendaya were playing Kayda.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
Adverb
-
The moment seemed straightforward: two leaders visiting an industrial complex, shaking hands, smiling for the camera and making a nondescript speech or two.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
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
Adverb
-
Basically, no matter how soap-y the show gets, Akerman permits the audience to buy into and sincerely enjoy the Hunting Wives ridiculousness.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
Take a few extra moments to double-check your space, thank your host sincerely, and leave on a warm, unhurried note.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
22 May 2026
Adverb
-
Say the kind thing plainly, then follow it with timing, details, or a small plan that lets the opening become real.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
-
The team plainly had no business there.—
Leander Schaerlaeckens
June 8,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Adverb
-
In fact, this section of the trail is the perfect place to throw away the map (or turn off the Google Maps) and simply wander the cobblestone streets.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Don't assume your grass is dry by simply looking at it, especially in the morning or late evening.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 June 2026
Adverb
-
Foley has been the one board member who has forthrightly stood up for oversight and accountability on every key issue.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Coming off the ice, Malinin forthrightly congratulated the winner, Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan, as if to communicate that Shaidorov won the prize from his own efforts, not from Malinin’s failure.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Last week, Pacifica residents were shocked when the city abruptly closed its iconic pier after cracks developed in its base.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
The order from Phelan, who abruptly departed his post in April, said the board should consider an officer’s performance, competence and character, among other traits, as part of those qualifications.—
Konstantin Toropin,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Adverb
-
The possibilities felt endless and, honestly, overwhelming.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
-
That story of American exceptionalism deserves to be told honestly and proudly.—
Kathy Szeliga,
Baltimore Sun,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightforwardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightforwardly. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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