Synonyms of opening

opening 1 of 3

noun

ˈōp-niŋ

1

as in opportunity

a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place

the talk show host's usual modus operandi is to talk over his guests, thereby denying them an opening to articulate their positions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• opportunity
• chance
• room
• occasion
• shot
• break
• way
• play
• pass
• juncture

2

as in aperture

a place in a surface allowing passage into or through a thing

an opening in the roof is letting rain drip inside

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aperture
• hole
• crevice
• orifice
• perforation
• slit
• crack
• space
• slot
• fissure
• entrance
• loophole
• split
• tear
• cleft
• rupture
• mouth
• outlet
• slash
• rift
• gash
• exit
• breach
• vent
• intake
• pore
• rent
• notch
• cut
• inlet
• punch
• puncture
• break
• chink
• pinhole
• keyhole
• cranny
• buttonhole
• wormhole
• peephole
• airhole
• pinprick
• knothole
• pothole
• armhole

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• seal
• filling
• fill
• patch
• plug
• filler
• barrier
• obstruction
• stopper
• obstacle
• blockage

3

as in gap

an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)

the rabbit found a little opening in the bushes and darted through

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gap
• hole
• crevice
• interval
• crack
• rift
• breach
• rent
• void
• break
• fissure
• discontinuity
• slit
• hiatus
• separation
• interstice
• slot
• gulf
• split
• cleft
• cavity
• aperture
• orifice
• pore
• notch
• chasm
• fracture
• rupture
• abyss
• interspace
• cranny
• chink
• gape
• severance
• sundering

opening

2 of 3

verb

present participle of open

1

as in unlocking

to change from a closed to an open position

please open the door to let the cat out

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unlocking
• unclosing
• unlatching
• unfolding
• unfastening
• unclasping
• unfurling
• unbolting
• unzipping
• unbuttoning
• slipping
• disengaging
• unclenching
• unbarring
• releasing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closing
• shutting
• locking
• barring
• fastening
• clasping
• latching
• bolting
• zipping (up)
• buttoning (up)

2

as in clearing

to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions

we need to open this drain that's clogged with hair

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clearing
• freeing
• facilitating
• unstopping
• smoothing
• unplugging
• unclogging
• easing
• loosening (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closing
• blocking
• stopping
• plugging (up)
• clogging (up)
• interfering (with)
• damming (up)
• impeding
• obstructing
• hindering
• hampering
• constricting
• encumbering
• blockading
• barricading
• trammelling
• trammeling

3

as in expanding

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

• expanding
• extending
• unfolding
• spreading (out)
• stretching (out)
• flaring (out)
• unfurling
• fanning (out)
• outspreading
• outstretching
• overspreading

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closing
• contracting
• folding
• reducing
• compressing
• condensing
• compacting

4

as in freeing

to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way

snowplows opened the runway without much trouble

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clearing
• freeing
• unblocking
• facilitating
• stripping
• smoothing
• easing
• loosening (up)
• unplugging
• unstopping
• unchoking
• unclogging
• uncluttering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blocking
• closing
• stopping
• obstructing
• plugging
• clogging
• damming
• cluttering (up)

5

as in beginning

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

• beginning
• commencing
• starting
• launching
• falling (to)
• creating
• entering (into or upon)
• striking (into)
• embarking (on or upon)
• getting off
• initiating
• generating
• getting to
• originating
• leading off
• organizing
• getting going
• kicking off
• setting about
• establishing
• inaugurating
• adopting
• inventing
• founding
• spawning
• instituting
• pioneering
• innovating
• embracing
• taking up
• taking on
• fathering
• getting around (to)
• setting up
• getting down (to)
• getting round (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ending
• finishing
• concluding
• terminating
• closing
• stopping
• halting
• completing
• discontinuing
• ceasing
• leaving
• laying off
• quitting
• abandoning
• destroying
• knocking off
• forsaking
• abolishing
• desisting
• extinguishing
• demolishing
• phasing out
• exterminating

opening

3 of 3

adjective

as in initial

Related Words

• initial
• starting
• first
• beginning
• inaugural
• earliest
• original
• pioneer
• maiden
• primary
• headmost
• leadoff
• foremost
• eminent
• premier
• superior

Dissimilar Words

• last
• final
• latter
• latest
• concluding
• terminal
• ultimate
• following
• closing
• lag
• succeeding
• eventual
• ensuing
• terminating
• consequent
• rearmost
• hindmost
• bottommost
• decisive
• crowning
• conclusive
• definitive

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of opening

Verb

Tickets for the event are on sale now, with UNITY’s opening weekend sold out. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 14 July 2025

Trump has embarked on one of the most consequential and controversial opening stretches of any presidential term in modern memory – striking Iran's nuclear facilities, overhauling the federal government and pursuing mass deportations. —Zac Anderson, USA Today, 14 July 2025

Adjective

India was undergoing a medical evaluation late Sunday afternoon following the conclusion of the Royals’ 6-2 loss in the season-opening series finale. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2025

After opening the 2025 season on the road with four games against the Seattle Mariners, the A’s will host the Chicago Cubs for three games — Monday, March 31, through Wednesday, April 2 — at Sutter Health Park. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2025