Synonyms of open
1
as in to unlock
to change from a closed to an open position
please open the door to let the cat out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to clear
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions
we need to open this drain that's clogged with hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to expand
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area
when we got too close, the cardinal opened its wings and flew to a higher branch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to free
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way
snowplows opened the runway without much trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to begin
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
we will open the proceedings tomorrow with a short ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in cleared
allowing passage without obstruction
thank you for clearing out the hallway so that it's open again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in public
freely available for use or participation by all
the lanes at the bowling alley will be open during the afternoon, but will be available only for league play in the evening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vulnerable
being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm
the country's open to invasion if its borders remain unguarded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in honest
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
a talkative and open child who tells people more than they want to know
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in exposed
lacking a usual or natural covering
open wounds in his legs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in shared
not known by only a select few
the two boxers have an open dislike for each other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in pending
not yet settled or decided
that issue will have to remain open until the supervisor can decide
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in impartial
willing to consider new or different ideas
she is always open and ready to listen to anyone's suggestions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in generous
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation
he's very open with his opinions, many of which are not welcome
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in wilderness
that part of the physical world that is removed from human habitation
a daguerreotype of a cowboy whose face is roughened from a hard life in the open
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 open
Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
The rock act lands its highest debut on the Official Rock & Metal Albums chart, where Rush 50 opens at No. 5.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2025
The On-Deck Shop at the A’s stadium is open during game days for fans looking to represent the team.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
All-seeing surveillance drones, present everywhere all the time along the 800-mile front line of the three-year war, quickly spot any vehicles traveling out in the open.
—David Axe, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for open
Verb
The four hatchlings started cracking from their shells on Feb. 27 and will make their public debut on April 23, the 93rd anniversary of their mother's arrival at the zoo, which opened in 1874.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
The rock act lands its highest debut on the Official Rock & Metal Albums chart, where Rush 50 opens at No. 5.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Yoshimura also wants to get the message across to Hollywood that Japan’s notoriously conservative and risk-averse entertainment industry is open to change.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2025
The On-Deck Shop at the A’s stadium is open during game days for fans looking to represent the team.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
These tensions came out in the open during a fraught Oval Office meeting between Zelensky and Trump, though the Ukrainian leader has sought to repair relations since.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
All-seeing surveillance drones, present everywhere all the time along the 800-mile front line of the three-year war, quickly spot any vehicles traveling out in the open.
—David Axe, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for open
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open
Verb
-
So, what is the key to unlocking data’s full potential?—
David Boice,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Overcoming these regulatory barriers will be crucial in unlocking the full potential of cannabinoid medicine.—
Calvin Rasode,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
As Mercury goes direct, refresh your browsers and clear your caches!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Those two both were cleared just prior to Monday night’s game.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In this slice-of-life portrait, Chen shows how childhood experiences can shape someone, illustrating how a childhood passion might expand their horizons without necessarily becoming a lifelong vocation.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The Chiefs have already expanded in the TV space with last year’s Hallmark Channel film Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story; and with the online claymation short A Kingdom Christmas Story: Hail Merry.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
With drones, sniffer dogs and heavy machinery, rescue operators have been working around the clock to free dozens of people thought to be trapped inside.—
Jan Camenzind Broomby,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The husband eventually managed to free himself of his bindings, and when McIsaac returned to the living room, the husband fought back and subdued him long enough to allow the rest of the family to escape and seek help, prosecutors said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
What begins as a simple quest soon transforms into a life-changing adventure, forcing Alex to reevaluate her priorities.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Following news of his death, multiple tributes began to pour in for him on his last Instagram post.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For more than 25 hours, the New Jersey Democrat stood at the Senate lectern speaking against President Donald Trump’s policies in what may be the most dramatic and sustained public challenge to Trump’s agenda since his return to the White House.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Any other provider with Planned Parenthood's track record would be disqualified from public funding.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For the lead plaintiffs in the investors' suit, the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System, the scheme allegedly robbed retirees of gains used to sustain their quality of life at a particularly vulnerable time.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Any monetary system, including our current fiat arrangement, is vulnerable to manipulation.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Viola Davis shared an honest admission about a past interaction with the late Chadwick Boseman.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Be honest about strategic intent: If the acquisition will eventually be fully integrated, communicate this from the beginning rather than creating false expectations of independence.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share