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
How does the adjective open contrast with its synonyms?
Some common synonyms of open are exposed, liable, prone, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.
a claim open to question
When could exposed be used to replace open?
The words exposed and open can be used in similar contexts, but exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.
exposed to infection
When can liable be used instead of open?
While in some cases nearly identical to open, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.
liable to get lost
When would prone be a good substitute for open?
While the synonyms prone and open are close in meaning, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.
prone to delay
When might sensitive be a better fit than open?
The words sensitive and open are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.
unduly sensitive to criticism
When is subject a more appropriate choice than open?
In some situations, the words subject and open are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.
all reports are subject to review
When is it sensible to use susceptible instead of open?
The meanings of susceptible and open largely overlap; however, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.
very susceptible to flattery
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of open
Verb
The 28-ounce reservoir opens from the top, rather than unscrewing from the base, for spill-free fill-ups and weekly deep cleans.—Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2025 The two are believed to have walked out of a set of doors that opened during a power outage.—Hanna Park, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Much like sailors, cowboys used stars to guide them across vast open spaces.—Sophie-Claire Hoeller, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025 Have an open conversation about what’s safe to share online and what to do if something makes your child uncomfortable.—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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 Yet, the true magic of Scarlet Night happens out in the open, in the unplanned interactions between guests and performers.—Josh Rivera, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for open
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
Several hours later, the judge expanded his order to prevent the Trump administration from deporting any migrants believed to be members of Tren de Aragua under the Alien Enemies Act.
Companies can focus on strategic goals and innovation by freeing their teams from repetitive, manual work.
—
Michael Goshka,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
This second phase was to begin with an agreement on permanently ending the war before the release of all living Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Israeli freeing high-profile Palestinian prisoners.
Likewise, movement jobs require individuals with the capacity to face forces that are endangering the lives of many people, engage in rigorous political education, take in constructive feedback, and be accountable to the most vulnerable communities.
—
Aparna Rae,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
Some of the turmoil could have been avoided with early-warning systems, though in parts of the world most vulnerable to climate impacts, there’s very little advance notice of disaster.
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