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open-and-shut

adjective

ˈō-pən-ən(d)-ˈshət How to pronounce open-and-shut (audio)
Definition of open-and-shutnext
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation an open-and-shut case of robbery

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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 See All Example Sentences for open-and-shut
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open-and-shut
  1. obvious
  2. apparent
  3. straightforward
  4. unmistakable
  5. evident
  6. clear
  7. distinct
Adjective
  • Often the most fascinating questions are the ones with no obvious or direct rewards.
    — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026
  • If an offside decision is obvious, the VAR clears it immediately.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • Moselakgomo was the fifth woman found dead in the apparent series of killings.
    — Rael Ombuor The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Brown broke off a 32-yard run and suffered an apparent leg injury.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of apparent
Adjective
  • Dislodging these forces from the machinery of the state has been neither swift nor straightforward, and even those most anxious for change are hard-pressed to offer practical solutions.
    — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
  • An album this immersed in relatively straightforward love songs could use this moment of awkward verbal snogging.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of straightforward
Adjective
  • Cyrus has a big, blowsy voice with an unmistakable country warble.
    — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Maluma’s playful, confident verses add another layer of flirtation, while Shakira’s unmistakable vocals bring both sensuality and command to the track.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of unmistakable
Adjective
  • That was evident this month at the United Nations when a General Assembly vote endorsed a map with a different way of looking at the world than has more commonly been used.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • According to Espinoza, Dwabe’s love for others was evident early on.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of evident
Adjective
  • The appeal for South Africa’s government is clear in Mokopane, the nearest town to Mogalakwena.
    — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • It was confiscated, and she was handed back the clear plastic case.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of clear
Adjective
  • The Pigeon Sisters — Desi Amato as Gwendolyn and Penny Amara as Cecily — are played as distinct individuals rather than as near-twins as often happens.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Sometimes those differences, while distinct, still touch the same product in some way.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinct

Browse Nearby Words

open air
open-and-shut
open arms
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Open-and-shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open-and-shut. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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