Synonyms of open
1
as in to unlock
to change from a closed to an open position
please open the door to let the cat out
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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to clear
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions
we need to open this drain that's clogged with hair
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3
as in to expand
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
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4
as in to free
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way
snowplows opened the runway without much trouble
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5
as in to begin
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
we will open the proceedings tomorrow with a short ceremony
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1
as in cleared
allowing passage without obstruction
thank you for clearing out the hallway so that it's open again
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2
as in public
freely available for use or participation by all
the lanes at the bowling alley will be open during the afternoon, but will be available only for league play in the evening
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3
as in vulnerable
being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm
the country's open to invasion if its borders remain unguarded
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4
as in honest
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
a talkative and open child who tells people more than they want to know
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5
as in exposed
lacking a usual or natural covering
open wounds in his legs
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6
as in shared
not known by only a select few
the two boxers have an open dislike for each other
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7
as in pending
not yet settled or decided
that issue will have to remain open until the supervisor can decide
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8
as in impartial
willing to consider new or different ideas
she is always open and ready to listen to anyone's suggestions
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9
as in generous
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation
he's very open with his opinions, many of which are not welcome
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as in wilderness
that part of the physical world that is removed from human habitation
a daguerreotype of a cowboy whose face is roughened from a hard life in the open
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of open
Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
Three years ago, Spain opened a foiling academy in Cadiz.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Stores and e-commerce experiences across Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks OFF 5TH, Last Call and Horchow are open and serving customers, the statement said.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
Processing an old resentment today could bring it up fully and out into the open where it can be seen, understood, learned from, grieved, and forgiven.
—Kimberly King, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for open
Verb
Get Morning Squawk directly in your inbox CNBC’s Morning Squawk recaps the biggest stories investors should know before the stock market opens, every weekday morning.
—Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
Three years ago, Spain opened a foiling academy in Cadiz.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The park behind the festival may or may not be open for ice climbing, and there will be no on-ice clinics.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Stores and e-commerce experiences across Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks OFF 5TH, Last Call and Horchow are open and serving customers, the statement said.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
But the Heat also don’t have to do anything immediately, with that extension window open though the season, otherwise with Bird Rights to re-sign Norman in free agency in the offseason.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
Processing an old resentment today could bring it up fully and out into the open where it can be seen, understood, learned from, grieved, and forgiven.
—Kimberly King, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for open
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open
Verb
-
According to the official, the suspect refused to roll his window down or get out of his car, so the officer broke a rear window and reached inside the car to unlock the door.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Assisted-driving tech is also considered a precursor to fully autonomous cars, which analysts say can unlock huge new markets for ride-hailing fleets as well as personal self-driving vehicles.—
Nora Eckert,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Create a sense of order by clearing those surfaces of holiday-specific decor.—
Kristin Hohenadel,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The fire department said its crews cleared the scene a short time later.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Flywing also plans to expand the competitive side of the platform.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Neutrality allowed the nation to build strength, expand westward, and avoid the ideological contagions sweeping the continent.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pots, pans, trays, and lots of utensils can be shoved onto oven shelves to free up counter and kitchen table space.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The engine, freed from its hook by a sudden hard, precise kick, quickly sank into the river, pulling the cord tight and dragging the foreman underwater.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The legal friction began last year when the board proposed a massive renovation to expand clubhouse amenities in early 2024.—
Chase Jordan
January 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Crowds and traffic became such an issue that in 2021, the park began requiring weekend visitors during the February Firefall dates to have reservations as a way to limit congestion and prevent crowds from trampling stream banks and parking illegally along Yosemite Valley’s sensitive meadows.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What counts as a cleared sidewalk?—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The Trust for Public Land releases a yearly ranking of major cities in the US based on their residents’ access to public recreation areas – the city of Los Angeles ranks an embarrassing 90th, highlighting that access is undoubtedly a concern.—
Rafael Perez,
Daily News,
16 Jan. 2026
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In each case, agents shot at drivers or into moving cars – a practice that has largely been discouraged by law enforcement because of risks to public safety.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Democracy is challenged through disinformation Media literacy has been part of the Finnish educational curriculum since the 1990s, and additional courses are available for older adults who might be especially vulnerable to misinformation.—
James Brooks,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Installing barriers like snow fencing protects these vulnerable spots from winter kill, discourages salt and road debris caused by ploughing, and keeps your lawn from becoming bumpy and uneven.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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