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
as in honesty
the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions
not all of her voice students appreciate the straightforwardness with which she tells them that they're not going to make it as professional singers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of straightforward
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025
Their rules are typically straightforward and easy to learn so that even the youngest players can play without assistance.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 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
What if the show is actually tweaking tropes played for more straightforward comedy in everything from Just One of the Guys to Back to School?
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025
Their rules are typically straightforward and easy to learn so that even the youngest players can play without assistance.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 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
-
By sidestepping the fragile transfer process and enabling direct fabrication on liquid, Xu’s method could transform how scientists design lightweight, adaptable technologies across multiple fields.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Sandurz, an underling of Dark Helmet’s, is not a direct parody of any Star Wars character but plays a part similar to that of General Veers or Admiral Piett in the original series.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The idea behind a linear collider is to repeat the basic operation of simpler colliders.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Genome sequencing includes both nuclear DNA -- the large, linear DNA in the cell's nucleus -- and the mitochondrial DNA, the smaller, circular DNA in the mitochondria, which is almost exclusively inherited from the mother.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet Chaeyoung has resisted them, grounding herself in memories that took root in childhood and continuing an honest dialogue with her inner self ever since her debut.—
Billboard Korea,
Billboard,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is honest about where Kim stands as his rookie season winds down and the postseason looms.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Even as the calendar flipped to September and the clinch appeared obvious, the idea of October was sidestepped.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
-
That equality, and the diminishment of obvious markers—peculiar clothes, a strange language, obscure traditions—could be disturbing, and not just to conservative rabbis who saw their authority fading.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
These jeans are fashionable and comfortable enough to take me from the airport terminal straight to the office.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The ball missed the bat completely and hit Fry straight in the face.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Some readers may bristle at her honesty, misread her motives, or choose to sit in judgment.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The film presents addiction and recovery with unflinching honesty, a stark departure from Johnson’s typically inspirational brand.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Adaptive fashion has often meant plain and uninspiring clothing.—
Finbarr Toesland,
Robb Report,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Cut out shapes, like fruit or animals, or letters from scrap fabric, and stitch them onto a plain shirt or sweatshirt.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
European captain Luke Donald took a subtle swipe at Team USA during the Ryder Cup opening ceremony, although at least two of the more outspoken Americans had already committed to doing good with the cash.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Khanna, who has been outspoken in support of Palestinians, received in 2024 an award from the Arab American Civil Rights League in Dearborn, delivering a speech that called for an end to the war in Gaza.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Freep.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straightforward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightforward. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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