1
as in immediate
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time
her first novel was a straightaway success
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in linear
free from irregularities or digressions in course
the doomed ship was headed on a straightaway course in the path of the iceberg
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in immediately
without delay
he got to the hospital, and straightaway he was admitted and given intravenous fluids
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 straightaway
Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
An infield single by Jorge Polanco and a 10-pitch walk to Luis Robert — who fouled off five pitches — loaded the bases for Brett Baty, who then lifted a line drive to straightaway center field.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Over breakfast on the day after the announcement was made, Venetia’s grandfather was reading the account of the new planet aloud from the paper and the young girl straightaway recommended the name Pluto, the ruler of the underworld.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straightaway
Adjective
Yamamoto then let Gabriel Arias get hold of a curveball for a 407-foot home run to straightaway center field.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
An infield single by Jorge Polanco and a 10-pitch walk to Luis Robert — who fouled off five pitches — loaded the bases for Brett Baty, who then lifted a line drive to straightaway center field.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Having a low-lift digital service or offer is a great way to reduce your expenses, start straightaway, gain traction quickly, and test the waters before committing to developing a product.
—Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Over breakfast on the day after the announcement was made, Venetia’s grandfather was reading the account of the new planet aloud from the paper and the young girl straightaway recommended the name Pluto, the ruler of the underworld.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straightaway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightaway
Adjective
-
The race came amid a broader power struggle between the two sides of City Hall early in both Mamdani and Menin’s leadership, but the election will also have a more immediate impact.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
No immediate impact likely for world oil markets The UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC won’t necessarily have any immediate effects in markets.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Xavier Legette was fast in the NFL Scouting Combine in 2024 but hasn’t been able to showcase that linear speed much in his two years in the NFL.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Two double balance wheels inclined at 30 degrees dominate the lower half, with the upper half featuring a subdial for the running seconds, a four-minute indicator for the differential that supplies power to the two balances, and a linear power display.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The hit was outsourced to a hulking Estonian assassin, Imre (the Butcher) Arakas, who arrived at Dublin Airport on April 3, 2017, and was immediately tailed by officers from the An Garda Síochána’s Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, who arrested him the next day.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Employees were immediately forced to pay about 40% of the cost of their monthly premiums.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Loading media is virtually instantaneous on the Fire TV Stick HD.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
-
During back flushes, the valve is never opened more than halfway; this allows for an instantaneous flow rate of no more than 27 gpm.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Earlier, the Moon in Libra opposes direct Mercury in Aries, so thoughts may move faster than your emotional response, making conversations feel slightly off or rushed.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
McKenna, working this time without the safety net of direct source material, has composed a shiny soap-bubble satire of a doom-laden cultural and journalistic landscape.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Officials said Friday that water service was promptly switched off to about 75 customers shortly after the incident, but clarified Saturday that the number of customers impacted was closer to 67 households.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The woman, whose identity has not been made public, allegedly is seen hitting the man believed to be Alexander in the back, resulting in him promptly stabbing her in the hand.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
An instant fan club of sorts coalesced around Glantz.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Minutes earlier, Kelsy took advantage of an uncharacteristically lax exchange, blindsiding Jeppe Tverskov to take possession and create an instant breakaway opportunity.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Detroit won three straight games – Game 5 at home, Game 6 in Orlando and Game 7 back in Detroit – and the collapse became part of franchise lore.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
And once again, Suzuki’s top line went scoreless five-on-five for a fourth straight game.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightaway. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
