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
Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The path for Casas making an impact is fairly straightforward.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
When the Trump administration announced last month that every new H-1B visa would come with a $100,000 fee, the objective seemed straightforward: encourage companies, particularly tech companies that rely heavily on the program, to start hiring American workers and stop driving down American wages.
—Aditi Sangal, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Adjective
Until recent publicity prompted the group to change tactics, new members faced a straightforward onboarding process.
—Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The path for Casas making an impact is fairly straightforward.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Adverb
The mix’s seasoning veers straightforward and notably doesn’t list horseradish.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
When the Trump administration announced last month that every new H-1B visa would come with a $100,000 fee, the objective seemed straightforward: encourage companies, particularly tech companies that rely heavily on the program, to start hiring American workers and stop driving down American wages.
—Aditi Sangal, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightforward
Adjective
-
Another reporter asked Nacua who the last person to slide into his direct messages was.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
David Plotz, the CEO of City Cast, told Semafor in a phone call that the local podcast network was expanding its coverage of Washington as a direct result of the Post’s pullback, and would be immediately hiring four multi-platform journalists.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Are the linear components similar?—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
In all, about 3,200 hours of coverage will air, of which a record 700 hours will be on linear TV.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But these songs are also honest, sometimes despite themselves, about the feelings of impotence associated with watching history play out on a screen.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
-
At least Mamdani was honest and campaigned as a socialist.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
After Son left in the summer to join MLS side Los Angeles FC, there was no obvious alternative apart from Guglielmo Vicario.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
If the main subject isn’t obvious across most frames, the video often won’t show up in search.—
Ken Colburn,
AZCentral.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The opportunity wasn’t lost on Shula, the rock-solid legend who sat afterward at his locker, openly crying, in a manner that stunned Dolphins personnel.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Online, conservatives have threatened to boycott the Super Bowl and the NFL more broadly, with influential voices like Newsmax host Greg Kelly and Tomi Lahren openly criticizing the league for choosing Bad Bunny as the performer.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
After interviewing for multiple head coaching jobs this month, McDaniel agreed to join Jim Harbaugh with the Chargers, who finished their second straight 11-6 season under their veteran head coach with another playoff exit in the wild-card round.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Transfer icing to a pastry bag fitted with a very small straight tip (or use a resealable plastic bag and snip off one corner); pipe a pattern on top of marzipan as desired.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Outside of entertainment, the 57-year-old is an author and outspoken advocate for mental health and personal accountability.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Fonda has long been an advocate for Hollywood’s most politically outspoken.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Police vans behind a temporary metal fence secured the road to the athletes’ village, but the protesters veered away, continuing their apparent route toward the Santagiulia venue.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Guthrie siblings post back-to-back videos addressed to captors The urgency to find Guthrie was apparent in an emotional plea posted in two videos released one day apart.—
Sarah Lapidus,
AZCentral.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightforward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightforward. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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