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
  • Slated to open in early 2028, the property will combine a 63-key hotel with 54 private villas, ranging from two to five bedrooms.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Jonny Greenwood’s score moves between soaring strings and dissonant piano keys, alternately soothing and anxious; a few pieces composed by Jon Brion add an ambient layer of wistfulness.
    Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
  • For October 2025 rides, a standard adult ticket is $93.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Those spiders were the gateway bugs into the booming community of jumping spider pet owners.
    Alina Hartounian, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Beyond the charming downtown, Port Jervis doubles as a gateway to the outdoors.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 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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“Open sesame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open%20sesame. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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