as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
an open-and-shut case of robbery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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-and-shut
So, it really wasn’t suspected … POWELL Sounds like an open-and-shut case.
—
Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
Her payments were spotty, the lawyer said, but overall, the case had been open-and-shut.
—Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 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
Especially after Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey, asked Tuesday afternoon to define Melvin’s status, declined to provide an open-and-shut answer.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
Her payments were spotty, the lawyer said, but overall, the case had been open-and-shut.
—Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 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
Especially after Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey, asked Tuesday afternoon to define Melvin’s status, declined to provide an open-and-shut answer.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open-and-shut
Adjective
-
To further prevent obvious staining, choose darker flooring that won't show mud and dirt as easily.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 June 2026
-
Black is an obvious choice, but purple, red, pink, navy, or even bolder choices like butter yellow, or orange can also work.—
Lauren Jones,
The Spruce,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
The humor resulting from the combination of apparent authenticity, slick social media editing and a compelling mission has prompted speculation among onlookers about the band's true origin.—
Max Bacall , Tessa Hoyos , Nikos DeGruccio,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
-
The apparent unit of output—a token—is not a stable unit of economic value.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
The McDowells are far from alone in their struggles to find stable, straightforward child care.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
-
While this might rankle a certain type of science fiction reader who expects rigorous world building and a straightforward plot, Unferth’s playfulness injects new life into some trusty old tropes that have calcified into clichés.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
That was when the pressure became unmistakable.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
12 June 2026
-
The echoes of 1997 are unmistakable.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Alpert said the spirit was evident during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when employees and business owners showed up, making deliveries by electric skateboards and tuk-tuks.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
10 June 2026
-
That live sports remains the mitochondria of the legacy TV model was made particularly evident when the final NFL numbers were tallied up at the end of the league’s 2025-26 campaign.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
With a new wave of extraordinary properties, transformative experiences, and a clear vision rooted in sustainability and authenticity, the country is emerging as one of the Caribbean’s most compelling destinations for the discerning traveler.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
-
The insect can be identified by its flat triangular head, large eyes and clear wings.—
Seamus Bozeman
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
One star is a pale orange and the other is a very distinct blue.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
-
Desmond has some distinct advantages.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Open-and-shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open-and-shut. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
