Synonyms of open

open 1 of 3

verb

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

• unlock
• unclose
• unfasten
• unlatch
• slip
• unfold
• unfurl
• disengage
• unzip
• unbar
• unbutton
• unbolt
• unclasp
• release
• unclench

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shut
• close
• lock
• bar
• fasten
• bolt
• latch
• button (up)
• clasp
• zip (up)

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

• clear
• free
• facilitate
• smooth
• unstop
• unplug
• unclog
• ease
• loosen (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• close
• stop
• block
• dam (up)
• interfere (with)
• plug (up)
• clog (up)
• hinder
• impede
• hamper
• obstruct
• constrict
• encumber
• blockade
• trammel
• barricade

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

• expand
• extend
• unfold
• spread (out)
• stretch (out)
• unfurl
• flare (out)
• outspread
• fan (out)
• outstretch
• overspread

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• close
• contract
• reduce
• fold
• compact
• compress
• condense

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

• clear
• free
• unblock
• facilitate
• smooth
• strip
• ease
• loosen (up)
• unplug
• unstop
• unchoke
• unclog
• unclutter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• block
• close
• stop
• dam
• obstruct
• plug
• clog
• clutter (up)

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

• begin
• start
• commence
• launch
• found
• fall (to)
• get going
• create
• set about
• get off
• enter (into or upon)
• embark (on or upon)
• strike (into)
• get to
• lead off
• initiate
• generate
• organize
• originate
• adopt
• establish
• kick off
• inaugurate
• invent
• take up
• innovate
• institute
• embrace
• spawn
• take on
• pioneer
• set up
• get around (to)
• get down (to)
• father
• get round (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• end
• finish
• conclude
• stop
• terminate
• close
• cease
• complete
• leave
• quit
• halt
• discontinue
• lay off
• abandon
• destroy
• desist
• abolish
• knock off
• extinguish
• forsake
• phase out
• demolish
• exterminate

open

2 of 3

adjective

ˈō-pən 

1

as in cleared

allowing passage without obstruction

thank you for clearing out the hallway so that it's open again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cleared
• clear
• navigable
• unobstructed
• unclosed
• emptied
• empty
• unlocked
• free
• wide
• unstopped
• exposed
• unclogged
• vacant
• gaping
• unoccupied
• revealed
• enterable
• passable
• unsealed
• unlatched
• unfastened
• unfolded
• unbuttoned
• unfurled
• unbarred
• yawning
• unbolted
• unzipped
• unclenched
• unclasped

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closed
• shut
• stopped
• blocked
• plugged
• clogged
• stuffed
• obstructed
• jammed
• uncleared
• impassable
• hampered
• hindered
• constricted
• cramped
• gated
• blockaded
• dammed
• encumbered
• impeded
• interfered (with)
• trammeled
• barricaded

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

• public
• unrestricted
• available
• communal
• accessible
• collective
• shared
• free-for-all
• free
• common
• unregulated
• unreserved

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closed
• private
• restricted
• exclusive
• limited
• off-limits
• inaccessible
• unavailable

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

• vulnerable
• susceptible
• exposed
• sensitive
• prone
• liable
• in jeopardy
• subject (to)
• endangered
• in deep water
• at risk
• unprotected
• likely
• unsecured
• uncovered
• unguarded
• undefended
• unscreened

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unexposed
• invulnerable
• covered
• protected
• sheltered
• secured
• guarded
• screened
• shielded
• unsusceptible
• insusceptible
• safeguarded
• warded

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

• honest
• outspoken
• candid
• frank
• forthcoming
• direct
• straightforward
• straight
• unguarded
• vocal
• forthright
• plain
• unreserved
• up-front
• blunt
• openhearted
• earnest
• unaffected
• out-front
• plainspoken
• real
• uninhibited
• free-spoken
• naive
• sincere
• freehearted
• outgoing
• guileless
• foursquare
• ingenuous
• unpretentious
• unrestrained
• artless
• unpretending
• innocent
• rude
• vociferous
• undesigning
• natural
• bluff
• crusty
• gruff
• abrupt
• sharp
• curt
• brusque
• impolite
• inconsiderate
• thoughtless
• tactless
• ungracious
• impertinent
• uncivil
• unmannerly
• unsubtle
• undiplomatic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inhibited
• reserved
• quiet
• restrained
• reticent
• ambiguous
• uncandid
• unforthcoming
• laconic
• uncommunicative
• evasive
• diplomatic
• taciturn
• dissembling
• civil
• equivocal
• polite
• circuitous
• tactful
• courteous
• tight-lipped
• considerate
• politic
• close-mouthed

5

as in exposed

lacking a usual or natural covering

open wounds in his legs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exposed
• peeled
• uncovered
• bare
• stripped
• naked
• bald
• displayed
• revealed
• unprotected
• denuded
• skinned
• shaven
• hairless
• unclothed
• undressed
• divested
• unclad
• disrobed
• furless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• covered
• overgrown
• mantled
• overrun
• bearded
• hairy
• overspread

6

as in shared

not known by only a select few

the two boxers have an open dislike for each other

Synonyms & Similar Words

• public
• shared
• broadcast
• aired
• publicized
• general
• widespread
• on record
• prevalent
• communal
• published
• current
• unclassified
• popular
• announced
• disclosed
• proclaimed
• advertised
• declared
• posted
• heralded
• rumored
• rife
• nonclassified
• well-known
• reported
• promulgated
• divulged
• spotlighted
• reputed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• private
• confidential
• secret
• privy
• classified
• undisclosed
• clandestine
• unannounced
• covert
• personal
• unadvertised
• intimate
• conspiratorial
• surreptitious
• undercover
• collusive
• withheld
• concealed
• reserved
• underhanded
• underhand
• stifled
• suppressed
• repressed
• revoked
• retracted
• silenced
• recanted

7

as in pending

not yet settled or decided

that issue will have to remain open until the supervisor can decide

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pending
• unresolved
• unsettled
• undetermined
• undecided
• hanging
• debatable
• in hand
• uncertain
• unsure
• moot
• arguable
• disputable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decided
• resolved
• confirmed
• settled
• certain
• determined
• sure
• established

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

• impartial
• receptive
• neutral
• calm
• open-minded
• unprejudiced
• unbiased
• objective
• broad-minded
• susceptible
• nonjudgmental
• tolerant
• compliant
• detached
• dispassionate
• easygoing
• impressionable
• amenable
• suggestible
• persuadable
• persuasible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• narrow
• unreceptive
• partial
• partisan
• biased
• narrow-minded
• prejudiced
• intolerant
• bigoted
• one-sided

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

• generous
• charitable
• liberal
• benevolent
• bountiful
• free
• unselfish
• bounteous
• handsome
• munificent
• fulsome
• openhanded
• unstinting
• unsparing
• kind
• compassionate
• hospitable
• bighearted
• freehearted
• lavish
• kindly
• freehanded
• philanthropic
• big
• sympathetic
• extravagant
• humanitarian
• profuse
• altruistic
• magnanimous
• beneficent
• openhearted
• overgenerous
• greathearted
• largehearted
• good-hearted
• samaritan

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• close
• small
• tight
• selfish
• cheap
• stingy
• parsimonious
• ungenerous
• miserly
• uncharitable
• petty
• tightfisted
• penurious
• mean
• costive
• spare
• illiberal
• thrifty
• closefisted
• sparing
• frugal
• mingy
• chary
• desirous
• stinting
• avid
• grasping
• avaricious
• acquisitive
• covetous
• itchy
• rapacious
• mercenary
• envious
• grudging
• resentful
• begrudging
• hoggish
• stinting
• coveting

open

3 of 3

noun

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

• wilderness
• wild
• open air
• outdoors
• country
• desert
• out-of-doors
• nature
• without
• outside
• bush
• frontier
• sticks
• hinterland
• backwoods
• wasteland
• up-country
• barren
• waste
• badland

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of open

Verb

The state is asking the court to find that Chiquite Canyon’s operators violated several Hazardous Waste Control Laws, which would open them to civil penalties. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

The onslaught opened with an alley-oop slam by Wembanyama followed by a 3-pointer from Devin Vassell. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Van Daalen said the business started with just three owners and two employees, with the owners working from open until close each day. — CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Broncos safety Taylor Rapp had the angle, but Johnson juked him in the open field. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026

Noun

In Afghanistan and Iraq, by contrast, none of Washington’s adversaries needed to field regular military forces in the open to achieve their objectives. — Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026

And when resources become harder to access, more of our neighbors may find themselves out in the open with nowhere to turn. — Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing open

• keep one's eyes open (for)
• open air
• open sesame