as in key
something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal it turned out that a simple "please" was the open sesame for charming the hotel manager into giving us a room with a better view

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for open sesame
Noun
  • Much of the work is behind-the-scenes—updating certificates, keys and secrets—but intrinsic to efficient, secure and well-managed operations.
    Jordan Rackie, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • The key is its ability to penetrate the skin beyond the surface barrier.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The lucky player chose the Quick Pick option, meaning a lottery machine chose at least some of their ticket numbers at random, rules show.
    Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
  • California adjusts lottery prizes based on the number of tickets sold and number of winners.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • With cable internet, the modem and router usually come as a single unit, called a gateway,which needs to be plugged into the cable port and an electrical outlet.
    Kara McGinley, USA Today, 21 June 2025
  • Both waterways—located along the First Island Chain—are key gateways for China's naval operations in the broader western Pacific.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
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.

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“Open sesame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open%20sesame. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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