straighten (up or out)

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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straighten (up or out)
Verb
  • Levy said that if the political climate doesn’t improve, business for him will likely be even worse in 2026.
    Jason Carroll, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
  • The lateral stretching of toe spread exercises can help improve your flexibility and motor control, protect against bunion pain and increase foot stability, Tenforde says.
    Andee Tagle, NPR, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • While restructuring in the name of efficiency is one way to trim headcount, a negative work environment can also have a direct impact on talent retention.
    The Hill, The Hill, 30 May 2025
  • The Owls trimmed the lead to 25-20 and got the ball back at their 30 with 32 seconds remaining in the game.
    Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Now, the two horses and six others will meet in what is shaping up to be one of the more anticipated horse races of the year.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 7 June 2025
  • But based on the Trump administration’s track record, this new department is shaping up to be a textbook case of political double standards.
    Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Gracie Oaks Versus 20-Pair Shoe Storage Cabinet Keep your shoes neatly organized with this storage cabinet, which conceals up to 20 pairs.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Hop Run Tours organizes expeditions to minor league ballparks and major league breweries.
    Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta provided a statement to Fox News Digital addressing the U.S. Department of Justice sending a letter warning of a June 9 deadline to amend its policies to bar trans athletes from girls' sports.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
  • The Financial Times report said Hutchison could potentially bring in other investors or participants to amend the deal, including terminal operator DP World and Chinese ocean carrier Cosco Shipping.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • There are times when adults really should behave more like children.
    DeVonne Goode, Parents, 6 June 2025
  • Successful deployment depends on robust guardrails—policies, oversight mechanisms and escalation paths that ensure agents behave in alignment with enterprise standards.
    Alan Ranger, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • At Emery’s request, the club arranged a warm-weather camp in Dubai during the March international break, including a couple of friendlies against local teams.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Clinics often arrange hotel stays and local transfers.
    William Jones, USA Today, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Obviously being able to better more precisely diagnose conditions and to test samples at a genetic level represents advancement in science and an improvement in our understanding of our own body.
    Dylan Scott, Vox, 26 May 2025
  • Williams is looking to better her 2024 bests of 4:40.29 and 9:57.11.
    Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025
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 11 Jun. 2025.

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