ˈōp-niŋ
1
as in opportunity
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place
the talk show host's usual modus operandi is to talk over his guests, thereby denying them an opening to articulate their positions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in aperture
a place in a surface allowing passage into or through a thing
an opening in the roof is letting rain drip inside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)
the rabbit found a little opening in the bushes and darted through
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in unlocking
to change from a closed to an open position
please open the door to let the cat out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clearing
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions
we need to open this drain that's clogged with hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in expanding
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area
when we got too close, the cardinal opened its wings and flew to a higher branch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in freeing
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way
snowplows opened the runway without much trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in beginning
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
we will open the proceedings tomorrow with a short ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in initial
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of opening
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
Many different factors have made the war in Gaza top of mind during the opening day of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, in a way that Jury President Alexander Payne has yet to process.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
Mike Kaye
september 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
The Rudin-Diller production of Little Bear Ridge Road begins previews at Broadway’s Booth Theatre on October 7, with an official opening of October 30.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Movies were indeed part of the conversation at the festival’s opening press conference, but the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza soon became the major topic of discussion.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opening
Noun
Seeking to boost its presence, Yangwang showcased the U8L on April 23 during the opening day of the Shanghai Auto Show.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
Many different factors have made the war in Gaza top of mind during the opening day of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, in a way that Jury President Alexander Payne has yet to process.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
After a disastrous opening weekend, Panthers fans are understandably on edge.
—Mike Kaye
september 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
The Rudin-Diller production of Little Bear Ridge Road begins previews at Broadway’s Booth Theatre on October 7, with an official opening of October 30.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Supported by 7 large air tankers and multiple helicopters, firefighters worked directly along the active edge on the southwest corner to tie fire line back down to the river to prevent westward spread, and worked dozers in across the top of the fire, opening roads and old lines from previous fires.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Movies were indeed part of the conversation at the festival’s opening press conference, but the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza soon became the major topic of discussion.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opening
Noun
-
For instance, when the Martins were broke, before Christy gained the attention of legendary boxing promoter Don King, Jim, played on screen in a terrifying performance by Ben Foster, would take her to motel rooms to spar with men who would pay for the opportunity.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
-
More tackles and fouls will naturally occur in games where the team has less of the ball, with more opportunities to make those defensive actions.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Features and technology inside Iron Beam 450 The Iron Beam 450 gets its name from its 450mm aperture, which is larger than Rafael’s previously announced laser systems.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The lens sometimes struggles with false colors and ghosting in flare when making images into the sun, not surprising given its large aperture.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Companies are increasingly stepping into roles traditionally held by colleges, universities, and trade schools, creating their own certification programs to address skill gaps that formal education hasn't filled.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Frustrations have been mounting among young people in Nepal over the country's unemployment and wealth gap.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Both companies see this as a step toward unlocking commercial viability for hybrid-electric aviation.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The plan is aimed at unlocking 100 million pounds by fiscal 2027, in addition to the 40 million pounds in cost savings target revealed last year.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The property transfer and payment afforded the city funding to knock down the five-story relic — which had been unused and deteriorating for decades — but clearing the lot of its large pile of debris remained a financial and logistical hurdle.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Efficiency has a role in clearing crowded court dockets.—
Richard Lorren Jolly,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Student Experience and Programming — expanding academic programs such as the Capstone Design, the Flowers Invention Studio, and the Student Competition Center by supporting faculty mentors and students.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
France, which plans to recognize a Palestinian state this month at the United Nations, also voiced its opposition to Israel expanding operations in Gaza.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
All the while, much of the growth in the stock market is driven by tech and AI stocks, especially a massive nationwide investment in data centers, with many investors beginning to see signs of a bubble that may end up popping before any other shoes drop.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Jackman keeps that inheritance intact, similarly flipping the romantic tale script by beginning not with flirtation or longing, but with a wedding.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
After the initial outcry, Sanders continued jetting himself around the country.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Before The Beatles and before football came the docks, once the beating heart of Liverpool and the catalyst for the city’s initial growth and prosperity.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opening. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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