straighten (up or out)

Definition of straighten (up or out)next
1
as in to improve
to change one's behavior or character for the better I hope that rehab will help her straighten up for good

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straighten (up or out)
Verb
  • Maye’s numbers improved somewhat in the second half but not nearly enough to prevent the Seahawks from claiming a 29-13 victory.
    Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • However, the ability to choose an educational environment that truly fits our child has not only improved their academic performance, but also their overall happiness and outlook on life.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Hachimura helped the Lakers stay the course after their lead was trimmed to two points with 27 seconds left.
    Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Officials say the goats will practically climb over each other to reach them, turning bush-trimming into a competitive sport.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The new suit’s unique joints are shaping up to be a major advancement over previous space suits, but the AxEMU’s relatively high weight is still a cause for concern.
    K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The North Carolina race is already shaping up as one of the most expensive Senate contests in the country.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The trade show was organized around thematic areas, including The Core Istanbul hosting a selection of 22 Turkish designer brands, including Özlem Süer, Mehtap Elaidi, Emre Erdemoğlu and Ceren Ocak, among others.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Starting later on Friday, users who opt in can message the AI agent through Baidu’s main search app to complete tasks such as scheduling, organizing files and writing code.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The appeals court sent the case back to the lower court to amend the 2024 ruling.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Mexico has amended its constitution to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes and vapes.
    Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The study suggests that the way silk proteins organize mirrors how proteins behave in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Choose the Right Dryer Settings The settings on your dryer can also impact how your sheets behave during the cycle.
    Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Prosecutors claim Sainz Salazar served as a key fentanyl producer for the Chapitos from about 2022 through 2025, helping manufacture millions of pills, arranging drug transactions under armed protection and operating labs that later became central to the group’s fentanyl production.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Mustique also has a small hotel, Cotton House, where 17 guest rooms and suites are arranged between a two-story building and a series of garden cottages.
    Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Following practice on Tuesday before the suspensions were handed out, Lee detailed how the Hornets can use the whole ordeal to better themselves.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
  • White set an intention after the 2021-22 season to better himself as a player and teammate, working on his physique and ballhandling in the offseason to transform into a well-rounded combo guard.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Straighten (up or out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straighten%20%28up%20or%20out%29. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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