1
as in direct
going straight to the point clearly and firmly
a straightforward account of the football game with no digressions or personal comments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in linear
free from irregularities or digressions in course
the missile continued on its straightforward path toward the enemy's command post
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in honest
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
I want you to be straightforward with me and tell me if this dress looks awful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
the distinction between the two types of offenses is pretty straightforward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also straightforwards
as in openly
in an honest and direct manner
she finally told him straightforward that she wasn't interested in a date
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of straightforward
Flow Space Staff, Flow Space, 29 Apr. 2026
This was the most straightforward, efficient episode of the season, pleasurable in its simplicity, with only one gimmick (the to-go orders) that barely made a difference to the episode’s outcome.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026
Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The mix’s seasoning veers straightforward and notably doesn’t list horseradish.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Adjective
The fact that pinpointing specific conditions isn’t always straightforward.
—Flow Space Staff, Flow Space, 29 Apr. 2026
This was the most straightforward, efficient episode of the season, pleasurable in its simplicity, with only one gimmick (the to-go orders) that barely made a difference to the episode’s outcome.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026
Adverb
The market's logic seemed straightforward: more efficient AI means less demand for chips, less demand for data centers, less demand for power.
—Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The mix’s seasoning veers straightforward and notably doesn’t list horseradish.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightforward
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
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
Adjective
-
Be honest about what’s workable, and let creativity thrive within boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
October 23 – November 21 An honest shift today strengthens what truly matters.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Don’t force a quick fix, but don’t ignore what’s obvious.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Likewise the only evidence that Trump might not be crazy is his obvious determination to seem so.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The practice has surged in popularity as celebrities and pro athletes openly share their routines.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Even commentators who are openly critical have begun to borrow the same phrasing, the same rhythm, the same constant escalation.—
Atom Ariola,
Mercury News,
30 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
Adjective
-
Since retiring in 2022, she's been an outspoken advocate for mothers in professional sports and beyond.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Chaplin Award Gala has previously recognized Hollywood figures who have been outspoken about current political events, including Pedro Almodóvar, Spike Lee and Robert Redford.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s been especially apparent this year because the draft is really good.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
As the argument continued, Alexander and his 62-year-old father, in turn, urinated on his neighbor’s yard in apparent retaliation for the dog’s actions, prosecutors say.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightforward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightforward. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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