Synonyms of open
1
as in to unlock
to change from a closed to an open position
please open the door to let the cat out
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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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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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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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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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of open
Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 May 2026
During the filming of the James Bond movie License to Kill, right after the hotel first opened, many of the actors stayed there.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
Highland Keep The open-world survival craft game, set in medieval Scotland, features base building, colony management, and real-time action combat.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Chris Willman, Variety, 8 May 2026
As the grass is being installed, HVAC units around the pitch pump either warm or cold air into the system to maintain the grass, akin to having a greenhouse system out in the open.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for open
Verb
What makes the story so thrilling is watching an outsider learn how to open those doors, bluff by bluff, and for a while make the system work for him.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 May 2026
During the filming of the James Bond movie License to Kill, right after the hotel first opened, many of the actors stayed there.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
Adjective
Last month, after Israel and Lebanon came to a 10-day ceasefire, there was a less-than-24-hour window where Iran said the strait was open, only to reverse the decision and attack vessels passing through.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
Highland Keep The open-world survival craft game, set in medieval Scotland, features base building, colony management, and real-time action combat.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Noun
At the climax, the music, seemingly stuck in a digital rut, comes to a halt as a static image of Charli is busted through by a bunch of young men seemingly bringing a mosh pit out into the open.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 8 May 2026
As the grass is being installed, HVAC units around the pitch pump either warm or cold air into the system to maintain the grass, akin to having a greenhouse system out in the open.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for open
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open
Verb
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South Carolina, a key primary state, could help unlock Harris’ path to the nomination.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
His regular-season point totals were some of the best in the league, but the playoff performances in critical moments were the subject of much scrutiny, so much so that most hockey fans thought all Marner needed was a change of scenery to unlock his postseason potential.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Two Connecticut State Police troopers have been cleared in connection with a fatal shooting in Bozrah last August after the state Inspector General concluded that the armed woman who was shot was apparently trying to commit suicide by cop.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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The Alabama governor has set new election plans after the Supreme Court cleared the state to move forward with its preferred congressional map.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2026
Verb
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There are numerous suites in the mix that expand upon the space, and anyone booking an executive category room enjoys access to the 25th-floor club lounge.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Together, the movements reflected an apparent effort to insulate some of Iran's remaining military and aviation assets from the expanding conflict, even as officials publicly served as brokers for de-escalation.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s decision on how to engage with those discussions was shaped in part by the prospect of freeing its prisoners.—
Darlene Superville,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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In an emergency filing, state officials said the high court's decision about Louisiana's congressional map should free Alabama from having to use a map that included a second majority-Black district to comply with the civil rights law.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Climbers began gathering in April at the base camp, which is at an altitude of 17,340 feet.—
Pasang Rinzee Sherpa,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Rogers was released from federal prison in March 2024 and began serving his three-year term of supervised release.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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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
Adjective
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Cost of living, public safety and border security are hurting working families.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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In California, the effects of the breach rippled across the state’s largest public and private institutions within hours Thursday.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Harassment tends to happen while Metro passengers wait for either the bus or train; bus stops are particularly vulnerable.—
Oren Peleg,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
In light of federal immigration crackdowns, funding cuts and rollbacks to civil rights protections and oversight, how can California better serve vulnerable student populations, including those who are immigrants, are LGBTQ+ and have disabilities?—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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