straightaway 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstrāt-ə-ˌwā How to pronounce straightaway (audio)
Definition of straightawaynext
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

straightaway

2 of 2

adverb

ˌstrāt-ə-ˈwā How to pronounce straightaway (audio)
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
Hernandez sent a fastball to deep left-center to lead off the inning, then with two outs, Mack hit a 424-foot shot to straightaway center. — Miami Herald, 14 June 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 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 See All Example Sentences for straightaway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightaway
  1. immediate
  2. linear
  3. immediately
  4. instantaneous
  5. direct
  6. promptly
  7. instant
  8. straight
Adjective
  • The report's authors said the case highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical evaluation after any direct contact with a bat, even if there is no visible bite or scratch.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The tang of the sauce was eye-widening and immediate, crackling with the bright, citrusy charge of tomatillos and serrano chiles.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of immediate
Adjective
  • For brides drawn to the cleaner, portrait‑style elegance seen in Sperling’s wedding gown, Wickstead offered parallel lines in Italian duchesse and silk mikado with off‑the‑shoulder necklines, elongated torsos and linear trains.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 3 July 2026
  • Yet, the transition from teenage phenom to professional mainstay has been anything but a linear ascent.
    — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of linear
Adverb
  • Affidavits supporting the Johnsons’ arrests were not immediately available Friday evening.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026
  • Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who voted against the proposal in mid-June, voiced fears that the list of noncitizen voters would immediately be seized by federal immigration authorities.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of immediately
Adjective
  • This automates the quality assurance process, replacing slow manual review with instantaneous digital flows.
    — Ali Hoss, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • With the craft's communications failing within the first two hours, the submersible imploded upon descent, resulting in their instantaneous deaths.
    — Dan Snierson, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
Definition of instantaneous
Adjective
  • Rabies can also be transmitted through direct contact with brain or nervous system tissue from an infected animal.
    — Kelli Arseneau, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Reliable plasma diagnostics are considered a key requirement because direct measurements inside fusion reactors become increasingly difficult as temperatures and neutron radiation levels rise.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
Definition of direct
Adverb
  • If anyone shows signs of heat illness, promptly move them to a cool, shaded area.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
  • Claus trudged to the monitor, watched the foul on an agonizing loop and promptly handed Balogun a red card.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
Definition of promptly
Adjective
  • That one phrase tries to create an instant emotional connection.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • The recipe leans on instant pudding mix and strawberry gelatin to keep things extra effortless.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
Definition of instant
Adjective
  • The Angels have lost five straight and 11 of 17 since June 17.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
  • On a night he was named an All-Star for the third straight season and 10th time in his career, pitcher Chris Sale led the Braves in an 14-3 blasting of the Mets on Saturday at Truist Park.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of straight

Browse Nearby Words

straight arrows
straightaway
straightbred
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Straightaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightaway. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on straightaway

Nglish: Translation of straightaway for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All