OPEN-AND-SHUT Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

open-and-shut

adjective

ˈō-pən-ən(d)-ˈshət

Definition of open-and-shut

as in obvious

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation an open-and-shut case of robbery

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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-and-shut The first ballot Hall of Fame defender who won the Norris Trophy in Vancouver, to me, should be an open-and-shut jersey retirement case. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2026 Lamar Jackson makes that an open-and-shut case. — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 6 Jan. 2026 As the years wore on, police and prosecutors released no updates to the public on why a case presented as open-and-shut was taking so long to reach a jury. — Kyle Hopkins, ProPublica, 24 Dec. 2025 The killings initially appeared to be an open-and-shut case of murder-suicide, at the hands of Jeremy’s sister, Sheila. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for open-and-shut

Recent Examples of Synonyms for open-and-shut

Adjective

In unionized environments with collective agreements, policy and law require a job posting even when the hire is obvious.

— Jason Walker PsyD, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Running was the most obvious trigger, but long walks, certain pilates classes, tight workout clothes, bathing suits, anything that involved movement or compression made the discomfort worse.

— Anonymous, Allure, 23 July 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

Thankfully, however, Fast doesn’t reach this in a straightforward, conventional manner.

— Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 July 2026
Emiliano Martinez kept a foul-crazy Argentina in it with multiple saves — though many were fairly straightforward — with the 2022 world champions not managing a shot until the 117th minute.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of straightforward

Adjective

Meanwhile, Vogue’s beauty editor-at-large, Arden Fanning Andrews, is a mineral sunscreen loyalist, while senior beauty and wellness editor Margaux Anbouba prefers an SPF with an unmistakable glowy finish.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 17 July 2026
Generations of locals have grown up on its signature franks — split down the middle, grilled in a secret sauce, and served from an unmistakable pagoda-style stand.

— USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

That spirit is evident in Method Oregon, which is dedicated to advancing Oregon’s reputation as a world-class sparkling-wine region and telling the story of Oregon’s fast-growing traditional method movement.

— Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 19 July 2026
What has become evident is that society needs a more clear-eyed approach to the potential losses from AI as well as a strategy for sharing the benefits.

— Bridget Shirvell, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026

Definition of evident

Adjective

European football returns to Wrexham this week with the size of the task facing the hosts clear on their Women’s Champions League debut.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 21 July 2026
The calendar is clear now for another global event that the world will be talking about.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of clear

Browse Nearby Words

open air

open-and-shut

open arms

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“Open-and-shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open-and-shut. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of open-and-shut

adjective

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