open-ended

adjective

open-end·​ed ˌō-pən-ˈen-dəd 

: not rigorously fixed: such as

a

: adaptable to the developing needs of a situation

b

: permitting or designed to permit spontaneous and unguided responses

open-endedness noun

Examples of open-ended in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beijing appears to be willing to be patient, allowing Washington to become mired in a costly and open-ended confrontation with Iran. —Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 14 May 2026

Sanding that motivation down into a more kid-friendly and open-ended spectacle, this adaptation doesn’t broaden Orwell’s message so much as empty it. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026

Holding back or keeping things open-ended slows momentum right now. —Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026

Such walkouts frequently have a beginning and end date, but Local 99’s strike would be open-ended — which means school would be indefinitely closed by the three-union solidarity walkout. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for open-ended

• apprehended
• comprehended
• condescended
• recommended
• resuspended
• unamended
• unattended
• undefended
• undescended
• unexpended
• unintended
• amended