as in trimming
to make neat
neatened the living room in anticipation of company
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Recent Examples of neatening
If your shrub is mostly dead at the bottom, try shaping it into an attractive tree form by removing lower limbs and neatening the top.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Several people milled around, neatening the area, touching up Cage’s makeup.
—Susan Orlean, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Several people milled around, neatening the area, touching up Cage’s makeup.
—Susan Orlean, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neatening
Verb
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Tried to listen online while the neighbor made enough noise cutting and trimming his yard during the entire game.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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Steve Anderson was trimming a tree near a power line with his 17-year-old son on Saturday, April 18, when the accident occurred, according to Fox affiliate KOKI.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Parents are also organizing a bake sale at the event, and a direct donation campaign is underway.—
Amy Stark Shireman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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During Barack Obama’s presidency, conservative funders invested in grassroots organizing to beat the left’s turnout and persuasion machines.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Clerk-Treasurer Corinne Peffers was also authorized to contact the Barnes & Thornburg law firm as counsel in arranging for a general obligation bond to finance the purchase.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Grab a wide and shallow bowl, place a floral frog inside, and start arranging the tulip stems in an organic way.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Neatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neatening. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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