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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

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

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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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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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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
One of the main changes that Anne had introduced in the script was Louis lamenting not the death of his brother, but the death of his wife, when the story opens. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026 Brothers Rodney Jong and Jon Chin opened Frico Pizza at 1429 Broadway in Land Park in early August. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Adjective
At Lucas, much of the park meets the city behind fences, and its rooftop gardens and balconies are generally open only for special events or for diners at its upscale restaurant. — Sam Lubell, Curbed, 21 Sep. 2026 We're headed for a sharply higher open this morning on Wall Street. — Kevin Stankiewicz,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
For the open, Underwood performed an energetic set at an intimate venue. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2026 Eggs are famous for being fragile, cracking open at the slightest nudge against a countertop. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 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
  • Bonta said there was no key moment or provision that unlocked the deal, and struggled to offer a timeline of how the agreement came together.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Mads Claus Rasmussen | Afp | Getty Images Greenland Energy is an oil and gas exploration firm focused on trying to unlock the hydrocarbon potential of the Jameson Land Basin on the island’s east coast.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of unlock
Verb
  • Heti cleared her throat to speak but her aunt cut in quickly.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Across the litigation, Paramount had been rankled that the government and dozens of foreign regulators cleared the purchase.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of clear
Verb
  • Many legislators from both parties also have endorsed the use of state funds to expand energy assistance.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • School officials say the roughly 150,000-square-foot facility significantly expands ECC’s capacity to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing and other high-demand technical fields, with modern classrooms and labs.
    — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • The ruling released Thursday also frees up federal funding that already had been approved but not distributed to homeless service organizations in Los Angeles.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Blavin initiated a rescue deal that freed all 2,100 beagles from Ridglan Farms, according to the release.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of free
Verb
  • Soon after the mother and daughter took over the kitchen, lines began forming inside the supermarket.
    — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Release can begin with simply deciding not to keep feeding the same pattern.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 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
  • An Associated Press review found that the campus did not use several public safety practices that have become standard at events around the country.
    — MICHAEL R. SISAK, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Cancer June 21 – July 22 Your public life may reach an important milestone.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of public
Adjective
  • The fourth, the Indian rhinoceros, is vulnerable, its habitat shrinking rapidly as fragmented and isolated population groups spread across a shattered landscape littered with invasive plant species poisonous to the animals.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The storms destroyed sections of a seawall and historic boardwalk in Long Beach, shuttered a long-vulnerable stretch of coastal railway in San Clemente, and further threatened Carlsbad Boulevard, also known as Old Highway 101, in Carlsbad.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 21 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 28 Sep. 2026.

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