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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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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

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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
Progression opens access to more content as the player advances. — Michal Rahamim, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026 The glass-door entrance opens onto a great room that takes up most of the available space. — New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
Adjective
But the plot loops and falls in on itself, rendering the dreamlike first half open to interpretation, and leaving viewers to sort through its many possible explanations. — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026 The center’s newer expansion, The Reach, is expected to remain open, with performances and other programming to continue at alternate venues. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Noun
Eggs are famous for being fragile, cracking open at the slightest nudge against a countertop. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026 But a 1-3-2 open is surely not where USC hoped to be entering Big Ten play. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 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
  • The training data may be the key to unlocking them, but the point is that increasingly capable models are being developed outside the controls or risk management frameworks of any one regulatable entity (like Anthropic or OpenAI).
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Institutions that invest in clear, transparent consent experiences will unlock more data, which fuels better personalization and builds more trust.
    — Jess Turner, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of unlock
Verb
  • When the skies cleared Sunday, hundreds arrived for the festival’s final day, filling much of the grounds.
    — J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026
  • After Adam’s Law cleared the California legislature and headed to Newsom’s desk, O’Leary praised the effort.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of clear
Verb
  • Let collaboration expand the possibility without handing over ownership of it.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Novelis is expanding its portfolio of coated aluminum solutions for battery applications, targeting components including battery enclosures, casings and electrical connectors known as bus bars.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Notably, Bowman said the Starling report found the Fed regulatory problems were not caused by a bipartisan 2018 rollback of bank regulation that freed large regional banks like SVB from the toughest oversight.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Reducing the information burden on pilots could also free aircraft bandwidth for otlher mission tasks.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of free
Verb
  • Graham began screenwriting with teleplays for the ‘80s version of The Twilight Zone.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026
  • More expansive early voting is scheduled to begin in those and other states in the coming weeks.
    — ALI SWENSON, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 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
  • The proper accounting of military fatalities has implications beyond public transparency.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The current measles outbreak should be a call for action to renew immunization as a public good with personal benefits.
    — Sheldon H. Jacobson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of public
Adjective
  • Our movements should not be so vulnerable to the myth of individual leaders.
    — Supriya Lopez Pillai, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The Global Gift Gala is a philanthropic event organized to raise funds for vulnerable children, women, and families.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 2026.

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