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 company will open another facility in its home city this year.—
Claire Harutunian,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Aug. 2026 In the series-opening 13-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Sutter Health Park, neither the team nor Springs were able to change course.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The proceedings in those cases are not open to the public, Lauck said.—
Nathan Pilling
july 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 July 2026 The Prairie Moon Garden and Museum is free and open to the public.—
John Lauritsen,
CBS News,
30 July 2026
Noun
The best case at this point is that this fight takes place in the open, with public input, through lawful legislative processes.—
João Marinotti,
The Conversation,
21 July 2026 If left in an open can overnight, the flavor turns tinny and unpleasant.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for open
The North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson said in a letter Tuesday that up to $300 million in community investments could be unlocked if the controversial project is restored.
—
DJ Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
30 July 2026
Being honest about the number first, not last, is what unlocks the better outcome.
In the mid-1960s, the festival expanded from an intimate get-together among church members to a cultural exchange for the greater Sacramento community.
—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
1 Aug. 2026
San Gregorio State Beach is now roughly twice its size after expanding into the formerly private ranch, San Gregorio Ranch.
Joe Mack and Xavier Edwards added RBI singles later in the fifth for the Marlins, who began the day 2 1/2 games behind Philadelphia and Arizona for the final two NL playoff spots.
—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Aug. 2026
The festival began as a seasonal attraction but has grown into a Kansas City-area family tradition centered on education and close encounters with butterflies.
Not all pads are alike, but a footprint on the larger side involves five to ten acres of cleared, packed ground that serves as the hub for drilling equipment, which can include wellheads, pump jacks, tanks, wastewater storage pits, trailers, and flare stacks.
Often, there is only capacity to check a sample of invoices; the rest are paid automatically, leaving the company vulnerable to over-spending and outright fraud.
—
David Prosser,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2026
And neurons, being long-lived, are especially vulnerable to protein clumps, according to the new study’s co-lead author Rishav Mitra, a postdoctoral fellow in Bellono’s lab.
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