open 1 of 3

verb

Definition of opennext
1
as in to unlock
to change from a closed to an open position please open the door to let the cat out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

open

2 of 3

adjective

ˈō-pən How to pronounce open (audio)
1
as in cleared
allowing passage without obstruction thank you for clearing out the hallway so that it's open again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in exposed
lacking a usual or natural covering open wounds in his legs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in shared
not known by only a select few the two boxers have an open dislike for each other

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in impartial
willing to consider new or different ideas she is always open and ready to listen to anyone's suggestions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

open

3 of 3

noun

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective open contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of open are exposed, liable, prone, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When could exposed be used to replace open?

The words exposed and open can be used in similar contexts, but exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When can liable be used instead of open?

While in some cases nearly identical to open, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When would prone be a good substitute for open?

While the synonyms prone and open are close in meaning, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When might sensitive be a better fit than open?

The words sensitive and open are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is subject a more appropriate choice than open?

In some situations, the words subject and open are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

When is it sensible to use susceptible instead of open?

The meanings of susceptible and open largely overlap; however, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

How does the adjective open contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of open are exposed, liable, prone, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When could exposed be used to replace open?

The words exposed and open can be used in similar contexts, but exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When can liable be used instead of open?

While in some cases nearly identical to open, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When would prone be a good substitute for open?

While the synonyms prone and open are close in meaning, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When might sensitive be a better fit than open?

The words sensitive and open are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is subject a more appropriate choice than open?

In some situations, the words subject and open are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

When is it sensible to use susceptible instead of open?

The meanings of susceptible and open largely overlap; however, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

How does the adjective open contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of open are exposed, liable, prone, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When could exposed be used to replace open?

The words exposed and open can be used in similar contexts, but exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When can liable be used instead of open?

While in some cases nearly identical to open, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When would prone be a good substitute for open?

While the synonyms prone and open are close in meaning, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When might sensitive be a better fit than open?

The words sensitive and open are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is subject a more appropriate choice than open?

In some situations, the words subject and open are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

When is it sensible to use susceptible instead of open?

The meanings of susceptible and open largely overlap; however, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of open
Verb
As the Sabres opened practice Thursday, Buffalo city workers began hanging playoff banners on lamp posts lining Washington Street leading to the team’s arena entrance. —John Wawrow, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026 Criminal cases linked to 764 have been opened in numerous states, including Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland and Texas, as well as Canada. —Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Atlantide, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, is busiest at dinnertime. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026 Participants should read four chapters before each session to help prepare for open discussion. —Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
And with Antonelli taking the standings lead from Russell a week after his China triumph with another win, this time at Suzuka, the debate has broken out into the open. —Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026 Shares rose about 2% at the open of trading on Wednesday. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for open
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open
  1. unlock
  2. clear
  3. expand
  4. free
  5. begin
  6. cleared
  7. public
  8. vulnerable
Verb
  • Blue Origin officials expect reusing New Glenn boosters will unlock a vastly faster launch rate for themselves.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Start with this deal, then bring your cart to $100+ to unlock a lifetime of Microsoft Office 2021 for free — just add it and use GWP4MAC (for Mac) or GWP4WIND (for Windows).
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 19 Apr. 2026
Definition of unlock
Verb
  • The goal is to clear all planning and regulatory hurdles so the reactors are operational during the 2030s.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Last year, the FDA cleared the first blood test for Alzheimer’s disease, paving the way for a cheaper, less invasive alternative to lumbar punctures and PET scans.
    — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of clear
Verb
  • Somebody who is just living greatness and never rests on that laurel but is always pushing herself to expand as an artist.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The debate is playing out in Wyoming, a state where many data centers have popped up, including new plans for Microsoft to purchase 3,200 acres of land to expand its data center footprint.
    — Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • There was no sign former leader Aung San Suu Kyi would be freed or if the pardon would include the thousands of political detainees imprisoned for opposing military rule.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • That said, a small portion of inventory was strategically reserved by both networks in anticipation of a hot scatter market; when freed up, those units are expected to be the most valuable buys on the summer sports calendar.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of free
Verb
  • Schools across the Emirates were shuttered for weeks after the war began, shifting students to remote learning, prompting some parents, who CNBC has spoken with since the war began, to send children back to their home countries to complete the academic term at schools teaching in-person.
    — Emma Graham,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The cost of gas has soared over the seven weeks since the war began, sending the average national price of regular gas to more than $4 per gallon.
    — Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of begin
Adjective
  • Not all pads are alike, but a footprint on the larger side involves five to ten acres of cleared, packed ground that serves as the hub for drilling equipment, which can include wellheads, pump jacks, tanks, wastewater storage pits, trailers, and flare stacks.
    — Alex Heard, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
  • What counts as a cleared sidewalk?
    — Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Definition of cleared
Adjective
  • Soaring energy prices and power shortages in Africa, triggered by the Iran war, is leading to public calls for nuclear cooperation and re-invigorated interest in long-term nuclear energy plans, which are underway in more than 20 of the 54 African countries.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Greg Horwedel, deputy county administrator, and the county’s chief financial administrator, Tom Fesler, described to commissioners how a public contribution for a Tampa Bay Rays stadium could come together, details first unveiled Thursday.
    — Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of public
Adjective
  • Bronson, with the atomic scientists group, also said nuclear plants are vulnerable during conflicts, citing recent instances where reactors were specifically targeted during the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine War.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Overwatering can leave grass with weak roots and vulnerable to diseases, so stick to a schedule and spot-treat patches if needed.
    — Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of vulnerable

Phrases Containing open

Browse Nearby Words

opaqueness
open
open-air
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Cite this Entry

“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of open for Spanish Speakers

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