There are several synonyms that can be used to replace the phrase "were straight." The first one is "were honest," which means telling the truth and not lying. Another option is "were sincere," which implies being genuine and truthful in one's actions or words. Additionally, "were direct" can be used to describe someone who is straightforward and doesn't beat around the bush. "Were forthright" is another word that means being honest and frank. Lastly, "were unequivocal" means being clear and unambiguous in one's communication, leaving no room for misunderstanding. These synonyms can be useful when trying to convey the same meaning as "were straight" in different words.