1
as in shaping up
to change one's behavior or character for the better
I hope that rehab will help her straighten up for good
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in trimming
to make neat
a directive for everyone to straighten up their cubicle in preparation for a visit from some corporate VIPs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightening (up or out)
Verb
-
In that way, the race seems to be shaping up as less a competition than a self-fulfilling prophecy.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026 -
Critics say event ‘hijacked’ by Christian nationalism Critics say Rededicate 250 is shaping up to promote Christian nationalism — whose adherents typically believe that the United States was founded as and should be a Christian nation.—
Peter Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Then Pages drove him in by roping his own double into the left-field corner, trimming the Brewers’ lead to two runs.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
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To prevent groundhogs, make your yard less inviting by securing trash, trimming brush, and fencing your garden.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
The decision was made to neutralise GC timings ahead of the final circuit — effectively taking times with 16km remaining — allowing the favourites to drop back before the speed increased further, while also improving safety by reducing the size of the peloton.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
-
The team says future work will focus on long-term outdoor durability testing, improving large-scale manufacturability, and optimizing real-world deployment.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
On top of that, the permanent staff organizing the fest and the Marché du Film is now over 50 percent female, including in leadership positions.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
High turnout, civic engagement, and community organizing still matter.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Still, Sinner’s Wimbledon coup spooked Grand Slam organizers into amending their rulebook.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
24 May 2026
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Overland Park is looking at amending its policies to streamline certain housing projects or open up the possibility to develop accessory dwelling units or duplexes in areas that have been historically single-family neighborhoods.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Loo and his family were also in the process of arranging shelter while evacuation orders remain in effect.—
Eric Licas,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
-
Duff-Smith was executed in 1993 for arranging the murder of his mother in 1975.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Straightening (up or out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightening%20%28up%20or%20out%29. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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