OPENING Synonyms: 244 Similar and Opposite Words

opening 1 of 3

noun

ˈōp-niŋ

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

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Relevance

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

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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

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opening

2 of 3

adjective

as in initial

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Dissimilar Words

opening

3 of 3

verb

present participle of open

as in unlocking

to change from a closed to an open position please open the door to let the cat out

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as in clearing

to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions we need to open this drain that's clogged with hair

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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

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as in freeing

to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way snowplows opened the runway without much trouble

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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

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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 opening

Noun

Swiss captain Granit Xhaka helped create the opening goal and spent the first half dictating tempo. —

Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026 For the Colombia and Bolivia, Scary Movie repped the biggest opening a Paramount movie has ever seen. —

Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 June 2026

Adjective

The White Sox drew a crowd of 35,174 for Saturday’s game against the Washington Nationals, their biggest non-opening-day crowd in April since 2007. —

Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026 The last post on the Naples Skyline Chili's Facebook account offered customers a free Cheese Coney with any drink purchase for the opening day of the Cincinnati Reds' MLB season on March 26. —

Staff Author, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

Verb

Guests enter through an external staircase, from which there is a vast reception room flooded with natural light, and glass doors opening onto a terrace that sweeps around the villa. —

Ruchira Sharma, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026 Also, exercise caution when opening windows to air out your home. —

Amy Deyoung, USA Today, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for opening

Recent Examples of Synonyms for opening

Noun

For adventurous types, there are water sports, including diving and kiteboarding, through the Aquatic Center and Kite Club Puntacana; as well as the opportunity to take a polo lesson or ride a horse at Puntacana Polo Club and Equestrian Center.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
Coach Rachel Monroe called a timeout to try to set up one last offensive opportunity, but Hagan immediately forced a turnover off the restart whistle, and the Timberwolves held possession for the final moments before the team sprinted towards goalie Lila Zahurak to celebrate.

— Matt Goisman, Boston Herald, 11 June 2026