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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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

Adjective

Aside from obvious fixes like leaking ceilings and sagging floors, the layout, which was chopped up into a warren of tight quarters, needed a full gut to allow the space to breathe and gain more light.

— Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
The best way to alleviate the pressure, therefore, is not to wait on a return but to avoid stringing together so many obvious passing downs that allow the edge rushers to tee off.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

Her campaign denies any involvement in the apparent Sullivan scheme, but the New York Times story and prior reporting could be used to call into question her fitness to serve.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
But Miami coach Mario Cristobal is not taking the Tar Heels’ defense lightly, even though UM has the apparent advantage.

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

The subtle, but unmistakable, undercurrent of apple sweetness struck me as a bit of a magic trick in a bread that, otherwise, to the eye and hand was just a soft white loaf.

— Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
The vamp features an unmistakable signature of the Italian house, a horsebit.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

Ideas can be measured through semantic distance, which is a way of quantifying how distinct individual concepts are.

— Roger Beaty, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026
Netflix logged 21 positions spread over 18 series, the broadest range of distinct titles of the platforms the report examined.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinct

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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 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of open-and-shut

adjective

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