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

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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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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

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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

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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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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

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
Despite flirtations with being a professional clarinet player, dabbling in multiple majors at UCF and an early park gig selling fish food, Polk today is executive vice president and general manager of Epic Universe, the first theme park to open in Orlando in a generation. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2025 The recommendation provides for a standard 13-week schedule, which opens on the final Thursday in August each year. —Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 9 May 2025
Adjective
The chatbot-style addition to the company’s search engine results page is designed to answer longer queries and uses Google’s AI model to generate full responses based on—and linking back to—indexed websites on the open web. —Reece Rogers, Wired News, 20 May 2025 The Walker Park Splash Pad and Gulley Park Interactive Fountain open for the 2025 summer season this weekend, according to a news release from the city. —Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 8 May 2025
Noun
Others are taking a stroll or picnicking on the grass, out in the open to enjoy the spring sunshine. —Suhasini Raj, New York Times, 1 May 2025 The return from Chicago of Sammie’s gangster twin cousins, Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan), and their plan to open a juke joint force the tensions between father and son into the open, with both mortal and supernatural consequences. —Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for open
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open
  1. unlock
  2. clear
  3. expand
  4. free
  5. begin
  6. public
  7. vulnerable
  8. honest
Verb
  • The move also unlocks real cross-sell potential: combining FIS’s debit processing with Global’s credit capabilities.
    — Nicole Casperson, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • With a simple tap of the screen, the vehicle will locate level ground, park itself, deploy its stairs, unlock its doors, and even adjust the interior temperature.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 May 2025
Definition of unlock
Verb
  • Adames padded that lead in the fifth inning with the 155th home run of his career, a two-run shot that barely cleared the left-field fence and extended the Giants’ lead to 6-3.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
  • The pause sent the refugee resettlement agencies into turmoil as refugees already cleared to arrive in the U.S. received notice their flights had been cancelled.
    — Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 12 May 2025
Definition of clear
Verb
  • On a year-on-year basis, however, Japan's GDP expanded 1.7%, the largest expansion since the first quarter of 2023 and a stronger showing compared to the 1.3% growth seen in the fourth quarter.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 16 May 2025
  • This year, that influence expanded into the cultural mainstream with her debut on Season 7 of The Real Housewives of Miami.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Wirtz’s potency in the final third would attract attention and could free up Pep Guardiola’s talented front line.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • The men were freed after prosecutors agreed to vacate their convictions in 2014.
    — Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 2025
Definition of free
Verb
  • Jennifer Donahue, a spokesperson for Massachusetts state courts, confirmed day 15 of the trial is set to begin at 9 a.m.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • After an ear-splitting sound, the wind began to calm.
    — Gwen Rockwood, Arkansas Online, 15 May 2025
Definition of begin
Adjective
  • The review comes after President Donald Trump criticized the alleged 'weaponization' of prosecutions of public officials including him.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • The heritage of the nation, which is public by its nature, cannot be exploited by commercial enterprises.
    — Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Definition of public
Adjective
  • But the program which pays for more than four of every 10 U.S. births is vulnerable to deep budget cuts — part of the cost of renewing Trump’s tax breaks that favor the wealthy.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025
  • His callers represent a wide variety of people –– men, women, conservative Christians, truck drivers, veterans, police officers and farmers –– many of whom often heavily feel the stigma of struggling with mental health, being vulnerable and asking for help.
    — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
Definition of vulnerable
Adjective
  • Log in Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
    — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
  • There has been no new-manager bounce, but instead a series of very honest press conferences about how long the United rebuild could take.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Definition of honest

Phrases Containing open

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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 23 May. 2025.

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