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
Sven Bilén, The Conversation, 16 June 2026
Recognizing hormonal alopecia is not always straightforward.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026
Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 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
The refresh and repair processes are relatively straightforward on Earth, where workers can physically remove and replace servers.
—Sven Bilén, The Conversation, 16 June 2026
Recognizing hormonal alopecia is not always straightforward.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 16 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 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
-
The placebo effect occurs when someone experiences symptom improvement after taking a pill or receiving a treatment with no direct medical or biological effect on the condition being treated.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Locals believe this was once a troll, frozen in stone after being hit with direct sunlight.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Banijay Kids & Family is also flexing its expertise in building brand beyond linear environments.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
21 June 2026
-
These songs operate on Imagist principles, confined to a single image or snippet of conversation and sometimes eschewing a second verse to pursue a linear start-to-finish structure.—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
An honest summary would still pass the buck to the voters on a grossly dishonest scheme, but at least the voters might recognize a description that doesn’t cajole, coax and mislead them.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
-
The partner who honors their own limits stays honest.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
But what feels most haunting about the arc of then to now, about Smith’s unfathomable issues and woes — yet obvious heart and particularly evident quest to find himself in recent years — is that his words then were spoken with a sense of arrival and past tense.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
-
Look in the most obvious places first.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2026
Adverb
-
By far the best known of Egypt’s players, Salah is a Sunni Muslim who practices his faith openly, on and off the field.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
-
Like Kennedy, many of them hold anti-vaccine views and are also openly hostile to mRNA technology.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Shares slumped 16% for a third straight session of losses, wiping out $400 billion in market cap on Monday alone.—
Gail Krishnan,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
-
His 2022 autobiographical family drama, The Fabelmans, proved a critical hit but a financial dud, and his adaptation of West Side Story was a straight-up flop (with losses reportedly running to $100 million).—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
Adjective
-
Bush, an outspoken critic of Israel, launched a primary challenge last fall for what’s now the sole remaining safe blue seat in Missouri after Republicans redrew the map.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
-
The representative earned applause from those in attendance after one attendee praised Matsui’s outspoken support of the Afghan community, especially after federal immigration agents reportedly detained multiple Afghans living in the Sacramento area late last year.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
Less than two years after an infant girl died of apparent starvation in Mesquite, the child's parents pleaded guilty to a lesser crime and received lengthy prison sentences.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
The Sox announced after the game that Sean Newcomb will be the opener Saturday in an apparent bullpen game.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightforward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightforward. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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