STRAIGHTAWAY Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

straightaway 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstrāt-ə-ˌwā

Definition of straightaway

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

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

straightaway

2 of 2

adverb

ˌstrāt-ə-ˈwā

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

Adjective

Roman Martin answered Johnson with a deep shot to straightaway center field, tying the score at 1-1. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 29 May 2026 And later, Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages hit a solo blast to straightaway center. — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026

Adverb

On a separate note, art, fertility and hobbies will bring you so much joy — so focus on these areas rather than just diving straightaway into work. — Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026 Money was tight and, in order to bank it straightaway, Jane Austen had no option but to discount it at a loss, as details on the back show. — Literary Hub, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for straightaway

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightaway

Adjective

Its biotechnology could now serve a more immediate military application.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
The Times reached out to Script botanicals for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of immediate

Adjective

Today’s musical discoveries rarely happen in a linear fashion, and even teenagers are drawn to older songs alongside present-day releases, both in their way brand new.

— Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
The dropoff came amid a government overhaul of Italy’s tax credit system for indie producers and local audiences shifting from traditional linear TV broadcasters to emerging streaming platforms.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of linear

Adverb

Federal policy now allows businesses to deduct domestic research costs immediately, leaving more capital available for engineers, prototypes, and equipment.

— Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
There was little in the way of heavy equipment immediately available.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of immediately

Adjective

Cameras can’t see through dense fog or measure instantaneous velocity like radar can.

— Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 27 Oct. 2026
This configuration feeds real-time grip, yaw and velocity data into a central computer, executing independent, instantaneous torque vectoring across the rear wheels.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of instantaneous

Adjective

The university introduced an aerospace engineering degree this fall, giving students a direct connection to emerging aviation systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
There is no working alternative to Starlink, which has put a massive constellation of low-earth satellites into orbit, and no direct competitor comes close.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of direct

Adverb

Seek care promptly for vaginal bleeding after menopause, unexplained sores or persistent pelvic pain, since those symptoms require evaluation rather than an assumption that GSM is responsible.

— Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2026
With this decision, one of the last important barriers to gerrymandering fell, and many state governments promptly set off on a spree of biased mapmaking, hoping to stack the deck before the big card game this November.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of promptly

Adjective

The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for nine consecutive weeks, became an instant hallmark of the mid-2000s, and cemented Ne-Yo’s brand of heartfelt autofiction.

— Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
Local reports from Kyiv overnight suggested that there was an instant operational impact following the move.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of instant

Adjective

This was the second straight month that Japan's export growth slowed, after hitting a near four-year high in July.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Despite the restrictions, Jung says Korea is an attractive option for straight couples who want to engage with a medical system that’s fast and efficient.

— Jessica Poitevien, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of straight

Browse Nearby Words

straight arrows

straightaway

straightbred

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Straightaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightaway. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of straightaway

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

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