1
as in opportunities
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 apertures
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 gaps
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
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 openings
December job openings fell to their lowest level since 2020 despite the stock market rallying further, data shows.
—
Alex Harring, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
In January, The Denver Post called Leven Supply one of the biggest restaurant openings of 2025.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
How Jackson handled money gave critics additional openings.
—Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
For more details on the upcoming store openings, Trader Joe's encourages shoppers to regularly check its website for updates.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
Here, a look at notable restaurant openings in February.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
Leaves contain tiny openings called stomata1; these pores allow plants to exchange gases and regulate moisture.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
There may be affordable openings, then, both for buyers who have rates over 7% right now and those who have 30-year terms looking to expedite their payoff timeline (and reduce their rate) by refinancing into a 15-year alternative.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
But until then, studio ownership ensured their theaters got all the first run openings, and the greater profits reaped from them.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Alex Harring, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
In January, The Denver Post called Leven Supply one of the biggest restaurant openings of 2025.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
How Jackson handled money gave critics additional openings.
—Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
For more details on the upcoming store openings, Trader Joe's encourages shoppers to regularly check its website for updates.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
Here, a look at notable restaurant openings in February.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
Leaves contain tiny openings called stomata1; these pores allow plants to exchange gases and regulate moisture.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
There may be affordable openings, then, both for buyers who have rates over 7% right now and those who have 30-year terms looking to expedite their payoff timeline (and reduce their rate) by refinancing into a 15-year alternative.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
But until then, studio ownership ensured their theaters got all the first run openings, and the greater profits reaped from them.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for openings
Noun
-
Guests are invited to tour the oyster farm before a tasting menu at the O Bar, and there are plenty of other opportunities to sample these salty delicacies across the three other restaurants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
And, conversely, what new opportunities are emerging for Israel’s creative growth?—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In one of them, iron-rich spring water flows through a row of apertures in a stone retaining wall, staining it over time with rust-red residue.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Those after ultimate portability might think 8x25 or 10x25 binoculars are perfect for travel, but in low light, their tiny apertures struggle.—
Jase Parnell-Brookes,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The study’s authors issued a broader call to action about the gaps in our understanding of biodiversity.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Designed to fill existing gaps Several MSR concepts are currently under development globally.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But fans remain hopeful, especially as Team USA’s men’s hockey team — which has advanced to the knockout stage — prepares for a critical matchup today that could determine their medal chances.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Research shows being tapped into a social network increases the chances that people do health-supportive behaviors, like go to the gym, eat a balanced diet, and steer clear of smoking and drug use—all of which can add up to a longer life.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bhatia made it through 47 holes of this signature event until his first bogey when the strengthening wind sent his tee shot well over the green on the par-3 12th.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Another method is to use injection-spray bars to create thousands of small holes on a course, using nozzles that force water into the snow.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to using soft sponges and rags, Martha recommends using cotton swabs to apply the cream to tight spots and crevices when cleaning.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Examine your satin pothos for signs of pests, paying close attention to the undersides of the leaves and any crevices between the stems and petioles.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Openings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/openings. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
