1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

straightforward 1 of 2

adjective

ˌstrāt-ˈfȯr-wərd How to pronounce straightforward (audio)
Definition of straightforwardnext
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

straightforward

2 of 2

adverb

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

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
Adjective
Davies said she was frustrated that the fairly straightforward bill, which would have enabled the state to track the number and location of recovery homes, did not gain traction. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026 The challenge is that making light switch magnetism has not been straightforward. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
Adverb
Through a layered and deeply nuanced performance, Cardellini transforms what could have been a straightforward femme fatale into a fiercely compelling protagonist. — Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 8 June 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
  1. direct
  2. linear
  3. honest
  4. obvious
  5. openly
  6. straight
  7. outspoken
  8. apparent
Adjective
  • On many of the songs, Beck broke into a falsetto that was a direct homage to Prince.
    — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • CFOs and operators should recognize that redemption pressure from 401(k) vehicles is structurally buffered at the fund level and is unlikely to translate into direct liquidity demands at the PortCo level.
    — Nate Heeren, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of direct
Adjective
  • That’s one romantic notion of many in a free-floating relationship drama, which employs an intuitively non-linear structure to enliven what is otherwise a fairly conventional, ordinary love story between two attractive but imperfect people.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The northern bypass channel will be 3,900 linear feet long and 300 feet wide at the bottom, according to the Army Corps.
    — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of linear
Adjective
  • The biggest difference is having a run-pass split and making the defense play honest, rather than keying on the Falcons' run game.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Then someone from finance asks what the company got for the money, and the honest answer is a pause.
    — Boris Dzhingarov, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Even when those messages seem obvious or your child already knows them, saying them out loud anyway could help reinforce that their worth was never actually in question.
    — Anahi Collado, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The most obvious cri de coeur would be for the struggling family farm or animal welfare, but Karen Espersen and Dave Bilinski, the farm’s co-owners, made a surprising appeal to health science.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of obvious
Adverb
  • Adverse possession generally requires someone to occupy property openly for a period set by state law while meeting other specific requirements.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Myanmar citizens living abroad are less likely to be openly critical on social media or attend fundraisers and demonstrations that could be monitored out of fear of having future passport renewals rejected.
    — Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of openly
Adjective
  • These sensual glimmers are no match for the antagonistic sociality of straight male relationships, which, in this novel, quickly convert sympathy or desire into rivalry and aggression.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Another measure of consumer confidence from the Conference Board economics consultancy has now declined for two straight months.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of straight
Adjective
  • While Talarico and Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for governor, have been outspoken in their desire to rein in data center development, both are taking a nuanced position.
    — Justin Papp, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
  • And although the medical research measure has some outspoken critics, there’s no money for an opposition campaign.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of outspoken
Adjective
  • After revealing its personal agent app Muse earlier this month, the Facebook parent this week unveiled its Muse Charm device in an apparent bid to get ahead of OpenAI and Google.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The government argues that her apparent ability to finance private security, a residence and extensive monitoring suggests access to significant resources that could also facilitate flight.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of apparent

Browse Nearby Words

straight-faced
straightforward
straightforwardly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Straightforward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightforward. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of argot

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All