neatened; neatening
ˈnēt-niŋ 
ˈnē-tᵊn-iŋ
1
: to set in order : make neat
2
: to finish (something, such as a piece of sewing) carefully
Synonyms
Examples of neaten in a Sentence
I am trying to neaten my desk.
neatened the living room in anticipation of company
Recent Examples on the Web
To neaten the group, coil them up and twist a bread tie around them.
—
Barbara Bellesi Zito, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2024
Use a curl-specific hair gel to neaten and smooth each side, applying a small amount down each section to be twisted.
—Dory Zayas, Parents, 26 July 2024
Fringes usually require neatening up every two to three weeks, and helpfully, many hairdressers offer free fringe trims in between salon visits.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 3 June 2024
When the grout has hardened slightly, use a grout shaper or your finger to neaten up the joints.
—The Editors Of House Beautiful, House Beautiful, 10 Aug. 2021
But trimmers do more than neaten up.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 20 Mar. 2023
Cut ends to neaten up.
—Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2022
Few things neaten a naturalistic garden like fresh edging around beds.
—Monica Cardoza, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2023
Speaking of space, keep scrolling to see a few helpful products that can quickly neaten your beauty station.
—Essence, 7 Oct. 2021
Barbara Bellesi Zito, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2024
Use a curl-specific hair gel to neaten and smooth each side, applying a small amount down each section to be twisted.
—Dory Zayas, Parents, 26 July 2024
Fringes usually require neatening up every two to three weeks, and helpfully, many hairdressers offer free fringe trims in between salon visits.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 3 June 2024
When the grout has hardened slightly, use a grout shaper or your finger to neaten up the joints.
—The Editors Of House Beautiful, House Beautiful, 10 Aug. 2021
But trimmers do more than neaten up.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 20 Mar. 2023
Cut ends to neaten up.
—Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2022
Few things neaten a naturalistic garden like fresh edging around beds.
—Monica Cardoza, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2023
Speaking of space, keep scrolling to see a few helpful products that can quickly neaten your beauty station.
—Essence, 7 Oct. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'neaten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near neaten
Cite this Entry
“Neaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neaten. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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