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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of straightforward
Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 3 Aug. 2025
Hank is a decent man, driven by straightforward affinities.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2025
Solcyré Burga, TIME, 2 May 2024
The logic seemed straightforward: identify gaps, provide training and watch performance improve.
—Hudson Garrett, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Adjective
Seven months ago, the path of California state politics – particularly Southern California – seemed straightforward.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 3 Aug. 2025
Hank is a decent man, driven by straightforward affinities.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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
The logic seemed straightforward: identify gaps, provide training and watch performance improve.
—Hudson Garrett, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightforward
Adjective
-
Trump’s order prohibits third-party collectives from offering direct pay-for-play deals, insists NIL must be tied to real brand value, and mandates that colleges above certain revenue thresholds maintain or expand funding and participation in women’s and Olympic sports.—
Aaron S. Marks,
Hartford Courant,
15 Aug. 2025
-
To survive, many walk a tightrope: confident, but not too confident; straightforward, but not too direct; passionate, but not too emotional.—
Yann Dang,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
At present, the ratio is more in keeping with a 90/10 split in favor of linear TV.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
City’s attack became more linear, often seeking Haaland early or recycling possession to reset the build-up.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Naturally, romantic commitments could become affected by the trajectory of your professional goals, so be honest with yourself.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The project intends to empower Californians to engage in honest discussions, according to its mission statement.—
Amelia Wu,
Sacbee.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Nowhere is that more obvious or more urgent than in education.—
Dan Fitzpatrick,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Mountains are always there, but another form of turbulence can seemingly appear from nowhere, with no obvious visual cues to warn pilots.—
Renée Rigdon,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Women with larger bust sizes know that finding the right bra is an experience straight out of the pages of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.—
Izzy Baskette,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Below are all of the new appointees’ official bios, straight from the incoming Paramount Skydance team: Don Granger President, Motion Picture Group As President, Motion Picture Group, Don will be in charge of motion picture creative, physical production, business affairs, and production finance.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Between stress, shame, emotional disconnection, the current state of the world being challenging, and just plain exhaustion, desire can come and go.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Even the band’s look — blue denim, plain T-shirts, collegiate banners — was faded.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Counter to her brother, Maxine is the outspoken, happy-go-lucky, popular girl who masks her loneliness and sorrow.—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The Democratic Party is also home to outspoken critics of Israel and much of the Jewish community, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Bernie Sanders, and others.—
Nathan Diament,
New York Daily News,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This feels worth acknowledging because almost every home with them, no matter how expensive the litter box, shares that unmistakable aroma.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Leaders need team members who reduce leadership’s cognitive load by making their worth unmistakable and their potential clear. - Aurelien Mangano, DevelUpLeaders 13.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straightforward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightforward. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share