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
Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
Full-time openings usually only occur when umpires retire.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2025
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2025
After opening the 2025 season on the road with four games against the Seattle Mariners, the A’s will host the Chicago Cubs for three games — Monday, March 31, through Wednesday, April 2 — at Sutter Health Park.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opening
Verb
The film had a strong opening weekend at the box office, with $55.6 million in North America, and has since brought in more than $500 million globally.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
Full-time openings usually only occur when umpires retire.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
India was undergoing a medical evaluation late Sunday afternoon following the conclusion of the Royals’ 6-2 loss in the season-opening series finale.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2025
After opening the 2025 season on the road with four games against the Seattle Mariners, the A’s will host the Chicago Cubs for three games — Monday, March 31, through Wednesday, April 2 — at Sutter Health Park.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opening
Noun
-
Internal talent marketplaces promised a new era—matching employees to opportunities in real time, breaking down silos and reducing reliance on personal networks.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
And yet, many still choose to take the risk to come to this country in search of safety and opportunity.—
Sam Wolson,
New Yorker,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The aperture is widening, bringing creation into the hands of more people.—
Adrian Bridgwater,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Combined, the ground-to-space radio telescope network formed an interferometer with a baseline (i.e., its virtual aperture) that was five times the diameter of Earth, and this enabled sensational resolving power.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Their military has also enlisted more women to fill whatever gaps do exist.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Evans suggests leaving a small gap, around half an inch or so between your plants and the coffee grounds, to avoid any mold from growing.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Financial clout is not an issue, but unlocking the riches of being in the Champions League and its revenue is an ongoing challenge.—
Jacob Tanswell,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
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Advertisement The film also understands the power of unlocking such a dynamic, without being gratuitous about the visual details.—
Laura Ramadei,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Jackson is also considering expanding her part-time interior decorating business.—
Barbara Bry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Instead, Apple pledged to fund a Houston data center for computer servers powering artificial intelligence — a technology the company is expanding into as part of an industrywide craze.—
Michael Liedtke,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Russian Space Agency also has launched its share of space tourists, beginning with a California financier in 2001.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Luckily, beginning this week, whatever spun off the tracks should begin to get under control once again.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
After Columbia County's initial involvement with the police report, the matter was referred to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, according to the sheriff's office.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The resultant chemicals can be stored separately then combined later to release some of the heat that was used to trigger the initial reaction.—
Erik Kobayashi-Solomon,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
God Save the Gun also gave the band the chance to collaborate with friends who have been there since jump (Phillip Odom, James Goodson of Dazy, and Nick Panella of MSPAINT).—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
12 Aug. 2025
-
That gave those youngsters a chance to get to know their new manager and gain some valuable minutes with the first team.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opening. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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