as in freely
in a direct and honest way; without hiding feelings or opinions
Please feel free to express your opinions openly. The governor has been openly critical of the President.
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Recent Examples of openly
Its sustained support for armed proxy groups in the region — organizations that openly seek Israel’s destruction — demonstrates that this is not merely rhetorical.
—
Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Democratic Party leaders are openly worried, though, that the two Republicans — Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco — could finish 1-2, thereby ensuring the election of a GOP governor.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Chisolm and her group mates have spoken openly in the past about being cut out of the financial success of their music.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2026
In return, Kiel openly praised Bianco at the time.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2026
Glaser spoke openly with Cooper, 31, about Convy being her first serious boyfriend and their relationship philosophy.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Now, even high school players and their parents are free to openly pursue the business side of the game, much like Dybantsa and his family.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
The Buccaneers are openly pursuing massive renovations to Raymond James Stadium; a project that could approach $1 billion and, more importantly, could force them to play a season somewhere else.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Miller's family members openly accused then-sheriff Marion Joe Russell of impeding the investigation, as Nipp was Russell's nephew.
—Jessie Christopher Smith, Oklahoman, 7 Apr. 2026
Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Democratic Party leaders are openly worried, though, that the two Republicans — Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco — could finish 1-2, thereby ensuring the election of a GOP governor.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Chisolm and her group mates have spoken openly in the past about being cut out of the financial success of their music.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2026
In return, Kiel openly praised Bianco at the time.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2026
Glaser spoke openly with Cooper, 31, about Convy being her first serious boyfriend and their relationship philosophy.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Now, even high school players and their parents are free to openly pursue the business side of the game, much like Dybantsa and his family.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
The Buccaneers are openly pursuing massive renovations to Raymond James Stadium; a project that could approach $1 billion and, more importantly, could force them to play a season somewhere else.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Miller's family members openly accused then-sheriff Marion Joe Russell of impeding the investigation, as Nipp was Russell's nephew.
—Jessie Christopher Smith, Oklahoman, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for openly
Adverb
-
Brzustewicz, 19, will report to the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League imminently, then be able to move freely between the AHL and NHL levels next season.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Share a story from your childhood or help a child with a project, allowing youthful happiness to exist freely.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
In a video message, Drake spoke sincerely about how much Furtado had inspired him.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But it’s played sincerely, so the visual contrast just makes the connection feel clumsy, if not outright absurd.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Openly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/openly. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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