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
New Atlas, 10 Mar. 2026
Coulter pairs straightforward recollection with unconventional approaches.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 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 system’s hardware is relatively straightforward – nine pressure-sensitive zones arranged in a square grid under a non-slip thermoplastic cover.
—New Atlas, 10 Mar. 2026
Coulter pairs straightforward recollection with unconventional approaches.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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
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
-
What was once a relatively direct connection between continents is becoming a patchwork of workarounds.—
Zach Levitt,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The consensus was that the most important thing was to avoid direct contact between the baby’s skin and the patch.—
Heather Grossmann,
Parents,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
People really appreciate not only the deeper cuts, but the songs that have a linear story.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
15 Mar. 2026
-
While much of those streaming sales were non-sports commitments, the flow of ad dollars away from linear TV will accelerate as the primetime entertainment properties continue to sag under the weight of their cultural irrelevancy.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
At least my mother was more honest.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
And to be honest, our offensive rebounding wasn’t poor.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There was no obvious precipitating event, but the encroachment of Grok seemed foreboding.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
What is obvious is the Dolphins aren’t going the Wizards route.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Davie spoke very freely and openly ahead of his exit.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
-
This was back in the days when Ross openly talked, even joked with the media, back in a time when things were funny.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Bella Hadid followed suit, while also making appearances in the Italian city of design, styling a brown suede jacket with straight-leg denim and pointy boots, leaning into her now-infamous cowgirl-with-a-twist aesthetic.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Phoenix is expected to have five straight days of triple-digit temperatures this week -- only once before, in 1988, has the city recorded a 100-degree day in March, DePodwin said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Fine is more supportive of Israel while Biss and Abughazaleh, an outspoken Gen Z influencer who is Palestinian American, have been more critical.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, his company’s treatment of its essential workers, and the firing of Chris Smalls, an outspoken employee in a Staten Island warehouse, triggered the creation of the first Amazon union—a milestone in the recent surge of labor activism in America.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Parker was the second person to die in sheriff’s custody this year, and the first apparent suicide in more than two years.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The influence is apparent even among non-evangelicals.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightforward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightforward. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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