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
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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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of open
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Advertisement First opened in 1885, the Glória funicular was electrified in 1915.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
Barker shows him no mercy for his actions, but leaves the door open to darker introspection.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025
About 354 million people worldwide have no toilet available and must defecate in the open, which can create health hazards, according to WHO.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for open
Verb
What To Know The Gloria Funicular, which first opened in 1885, is a popular Lisbon landmark for tourists, and can carry up to 42 people at a time.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Advertisement First opened in 1885, the Glória funicular was electrified in 1915.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The hotel said the new flights mark the first semi-private route to be scheduled weekly between the mainland United States and Hawaii open to all travelers.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
Barker shows him no mercy for his actions, but leaves the door open to darker introspection.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Shorter days and less powerful sun mean these can go right out in the open with no need for shade.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025
About 354 million people worldwide have no toilet available and must defecate in the open, which can create health hazards, according to WHO.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for open
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open
Verb
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This will cover your initial $5 bet to unlock your bonus bets and the NFL Season Ticket discount.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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But to unlock it, individuals must first master themselves.—
Elan Gepner-Dales,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Lazarus didn’t have to clear his Belichick strategy with Dykes, or anyone else in the program or at the school.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
3 Sep. 2025
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But Hinson is unlikely to clear the field.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The tournament expanded from 24 teams to 32 at the start of the 1999-2000 season, with a second group stage then played before being replaced with the round of 16 in 2003-04.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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This shift is reinforced by Russia’s push to expand its eastward infrastructure through the Power of Siberia pipelines cementing a more permanent divide in global energy markets.—
Earl Carr,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Of the survivors, Superman works with Raven to find Constantine and help locate Robin, who’s on a quest to free Batman from slavery.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
-
His fellow firefighters, including Gallagher —who was injured during the rescue — used extra manpower and tools to free him before he was stabilized at the scene and flown by CareFlite to the hospital, the department said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Because, immediately, journeyman Jones threw five passes on the first five plays to began attacking the NFL’s weakest starting cornerbacks — a situation too obvious for the club to have gone the entire offseason not doing enough to remedy.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
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To counter the explosive projectiles, Russian tank crews began mounting homemade cages above their turrets to cushion the tanks from blasts.—
Marco Hernandez,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Further surveys followed along with two public consultations attracting 60,000 people.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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And even in the approximately two dozen states where names are disclosed, winners are advised to avoid public scrutiny.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Last month, the Food and Drug Administration granted approval for COVID-19 vaccine doses for people over age 65, who are most vulnerable to severe infections.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Sep. 2025
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Recent studies have shown entry-level positions especially vulnerable to automation are being scaled back thanks to AI.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But all friends need to be honest with each other, to tell each other home truths when it’s needed, to confront those awkward moments without fear of the reaction.—
Steve Sedgwick,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
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But when those larger firms start to adopt similar habits—open forums, early interventions, honest check-ins—things change fast.—
Stephan Lendi,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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