as in key
something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal it turned out that a simple "please" was the open sesame for charming the hotel manager into giving us a room with a better view

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for open sesame
Noun
  • Instead, the key is to strike a balance between embracing opportunities that come your way while staying humble enough to recognize the privilege behind them and that others may have had to work much harder for the same chance.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The key for platforms will be to find the right balance, combining the dependability of film libraries with the cultural heat of live events.
    Alejandro Rojas, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Protests about immigration and sagging ticket sales were among the reasons cited for the move, according to sources.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Act quickly, as these tickets will be in extremely high demand, and prices may rise.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • With maximalism back in, this is a perfect gateway into testing the waters with bright hues in your bedding collection.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Childress Vineyards Located in Lexington, North Carolina, about a half hour away from High Point, Childress Vineyards calls itself the gateway to the Yadkin Valley.
    Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Open sesame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open%20sesame. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

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