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

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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

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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
  1. immediate
  2. linear
  3. immediately
  4. instantaneous
  5. direct
  6. promptly
  7. instant
  8. straight
Adjective
  • Maintaining command-and-control links matters when troops rely on aerial sensors to gather information beyond their immediate positions.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Fire officials were most concerned with keeping the blaze north of Encinal Canyon Road, one of the few natural firebreaks in the immediate area.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of immediate
Adjective
  • Positioning the commercial arm of the 100-year-old BBC for a streaming future while managing the traditional linear channels that still do great business in many international territories.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike Netflix, Disney is wrestling with the ongoing deterioration of linear TV.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of linear
Adverb
  • Details on the funeral arrangements were not immediately available.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The delivery does not mean the aircraft can begin operational service immediately.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of immediately
Adjective
  • The system effectively turns every step into an instantaneous electrochemical generator.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Back then, subcultures had time to grow deep community roots away from an instantaneous online audience.
    — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of instantaneous
Adjective
  • According to Chen, the business is more direct-to-consumer than wholesale.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • However, the new device has not yet demonstrated direct measurement of Earth’s rotation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of direct
Adverb
  • After a half hour of miscommunication, Pike was promptly hospitalized and placed on a ventilator.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Relentlessly enterprising and six feet seven, a literally oversized character, Levandowski had entered an autonomous motorcycle, Ghost Rider, which started the course and promptly fell over.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of promptly
Adjective
  • This is not nostalgia but a signal that in a world of instant everything, doing something slowly and well has become its own form of rebellion, and its own form of value.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The tablet takes a good 20 to 30 seconds to boot up from that state, which is a nuisance compared with the instant wake-up from sleep mode.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of instant
Adjective
  • Trailing the Brewers 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, the Dodgers desperately need to put themselves in the best possible position to win Game 3 and avoid four straight win-or-go-home contests.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • In the absence of DJ Moore, Shakir still only received three targets but managed over 80 yards for the second straight week.
    — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of straight

Browse Nearby Words

straight arrows
straightaway
straightbred
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Cite this Entry

“Straightaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightaway. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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