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

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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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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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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
The program focuses on opening its hardware interfaces to third-party tool and component manufacturers, allowing different tools to be easily connected and used within a plug-and-play industrial ecosystem. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026 Los Angeles city and county officials planned to open cooling centers for residents without air conditioning. —ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Principals seeking to fill an open position can use the dashboard to recruit. —Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026 The lab is testing the durability of conventional materials, such as the sand typically used to keep rock fractures open. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
Keys also addressed suggestions from parents about keeping the Lincoln high school open, including community fundraising. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026 In Dumas’ work, fights and duels and brave assaults on prisons are done grandly, out in the open. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 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
  • This circuit will not give away its secrets easily, but the car is more than capable of unlocking them.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2026
  • In recent years, North Korea’s partnership with Chinese money laundering networks has unlocked a new level of speed and efficiency that North Korean operators had not been able to achieve independently.
    — Lisa Cavazuti, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of unlock
Verb
  • Draymond Green returned to the starting lineup after missing the past two games with lower back soreness, while Porzingis and Melton were also cleared to play the second leg of the back-to-back.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The other two sailors have been cleared to return to duty.
    — Steve Walsh, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of clear
Verb
  • Other bank expansions in Charlotte Several other banks have been expanding in the Charlotte region, too.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Production plans call for an initial deployment of dozens of units this year, scaling to thousands annually as manufacturing capacity expands.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • The step aims to free up Russian cargoes stranded at sea and ease supply shortages caused by the Iran war.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
  • In addition to straining the CCP’s energy supply lines, eliminating the malign influence of the mullahs would free up the resources of the United States and its allies to confront Chinese aggression against Taiwan and its other neighbors.
    — Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of free
Verb
  • Richins, wearing a white blouse with pale blue and peach-colored flowers on it, looked down and began breathing heavily when the verdict was announced.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • All three hits came Michael Lorenzen, who Italy manager Francisco Cervelli originally announced as the team’s starter for the semifinal before changing course and having Aaron Nola begin the game on the mound.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 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
  • At stake is the group’s editorial independence — and whether its journalists will continue to report freely without fear of state pressure — as well as public trust in one of East Africa’s most influential media institutions.
    — Vivianne Wandera, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Thursday’s release marks the first public disclosure and documented confirmation of a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe that has roiled Kansas City politics over the last month.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of public
Adjective
  • While financial precarity is often associated with lower-income households, a February 2026 analysis by consulting firm Kearney suggests many higher earners remain vulnerable as well.
    — Mike Winters, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
  • But knowing that viewers would be seeing his romantic side was a vulnerable feeling that Withers had to prepare himself for.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 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 18 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of open for Spanish Speakers

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