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

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
Researchers at Graz University of Technology on Thursday opened the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Structural Integrity in Rail Vehicle Design. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026 Gemma Dryburgh, who opened her round with an eagle and three birdies, was a stroke behind with a 66 and level with Somi Lee and Hye-Jin Choi. —ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
This getaway, located 35 miles east of Fort Collins, is open year-round, although be prepared for winter’s cold and snow. —Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 18 Feb. 2026 In an open-response section, several Ball State professors mentioned concerns with adequately preparing students. —Cate Charron, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
My worst fear was having an ending that didn’t feel like an ending, that left too much out in the open. —Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026 The Maker in Residence will lead public workshops, host open studio sessions in library makerspaces and visit communities alongside the Makermobile throughout San Mateo County. —Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 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
  • Right now, members can unlock dozens of spring-ready travel deals starting at just $8, with exclusive discounts on everything from luggage upgrades to polished matching sets that make for the perfect airport outfits.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Supercomputers unlock new physics The breakthrough relied on large-scale hydrodynamical simulations that model how stellar material moves in three dimensions.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
Definition of unlock
Verb
  • Tuesday’s victory kept them in contention for the exclusive 40/20 club — 40 wins before their 20th loss — a benchmark all but three NBA champions since 1980 have cleared.
    — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The island runs its own desalination plant, generates minimal waste by the simple math of feeding its inhabitants largely from what grows on the property, and has preserved native forest, wetland gardens, and a hardwood canopy that most neighboring islands cleared decades ago.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of clear
Verb
  • Oseguera was the leader and co-founder of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a criminal group that has rapidly expanded its influence in recent years, becoming one of the main traffickers of methamphetamine and fentanyl into the US.
    — Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty Images Four years of war between Russia and Ukraine are beginning to take their toll on the countries' demographics as the conflict puts women off — or prevents them — from starting or expanding their families.
    — Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • This would reduce weight, lower launch costs, and free up space for scientific instruments or communication payloads.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Venezuela’s socialist regime pushed through a sweeping amnesty law late Thursday that could free hundreds of political prisoners and reshape the country’s fragile transition after strongman Nicolás Maduro’s capture — but critics warn the measure excludes key opponents.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Definition of free
Verb
  • Most hadn't heard the latest forecasts, that the heaviest snow was beginning to fall and wouldn't stop for hours.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Like many of its peers, Windey began its global venture close to home, bagging major orders in Vietnam and Kazakhstan in 2019.
    — Xiaoying You, semafor.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of begin
Adjective
  • What counts as a cleared sidewalk?
    — Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Definition of cleared
Adjective
  • The exchange added political heat to an already sensitive topic that blends science, national security, and public curiosity.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The post included a photo of a teen carrying a realistic-looking toy pistol, which was captured by a doorbell camera in 2024, said Ziggy Azarcon, public information officer with the Irvine Police Department.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Definition of public
Adjective
  • Affordability concerns have made Trump and Republicans politically vulnerable ahead of this year’s midterms.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Menopausal and postmenopausal women are more vulnerable to having a vitamin D deficiency because estrogen levels decline during menopause.
    — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 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 26 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of open for Spanish Speakers

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