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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

opening

2 of 3

adjective

as in initial

Related Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

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

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

Those efforts have led to the opening or expansion of shops, restaurants and bars, with plans in the works for more. —

Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026 Mansfield were not just ‘taking part’ against Arsenal, but made their visitors work for openings. —

Art De Roché, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026

Adjective

This particularly applies to an opening visual metaphor, in which an old veteran is haunted by a vision of his past, which proves more excessive and obvious than enlightening. —

Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026 The spa The Raffles Spa was still a work in progress during pre-opening, but it's destined to be the region’s first Medi-Spa destination fronted by one of Europe’s most-renowned clinics. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026

Verb

Amazon has grown its presence in the Middle East over the past few years, opening corporate offices in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt, Turkey and Israel. —

Dan Mangan,garrett Downs,leslie Josephs,holly Ellyatt,chloe Taylor,sam Meredith,azhar Sukri,anniek Bao,kevin Breuninger,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026 One of the most popular gluten-free, allergen-friendly restaurants in Arizona is opening its seventh location in March. —

Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opening

Recent Examples of Synonyms for opening

Noun

Know More The House war powers vote on Thursday is the most urgent opportunity for Democrats to try to unite against the war, even as the ongoing split persists about how to talk about it.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The director, whose father is deaf, also saw this project as an opportunity to connect with the Deaf community.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026