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
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
Second, all events in the campaign are locked to specific car classes before first completion, which will be music to the ears of anyone who ever thought these games were too directionless and open-ended to invite any tension or purpose.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 8 Apr. 2026
The meeting was preliminary and left open-ended exactly what will make it into the bill, but the decision breathes new life into passing a version of the SAVE America Act alongside funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
Cyrus is similarly open-ended about acting.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for open-ended
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Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Second, all events in the campaign are locked to specific car classes before first completion, which will be music to the ears of anyone who ever thought these games were too directionless and open-ended to invite any tension or purpose.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 8 Apr. 2026
The meeting was preliminary and left open-ended exactly what will make it into the bill, but the decision breathes new life into passing a version of the SAVE America Act alongside funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
Cyrus is similarly open-ended about acting.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for open-ended
Cite this Entry
“Open-ended.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open-ended. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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