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
Indeed, many technology executives broke with industry norms and openly backed Trump in 2024.
—
Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
These are articulate, intellectual characters who tend to speak openly about their emotions and even drift into philosophical ruminations.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Sleep apnea is common, but it’s rarely talked about openly.
—Vincent Morales, Health, 26 Feb. 2026
Some Iranian officials have spoken openly about the country’s readiness to produce a bomb if that decision is taken.
—Jamey Keaten, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Council members were advised Monday that the agreement remains in place and prevents city officials from talking openly about the expansion project or taking steps to move forward with some kind of plan until next year.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Over the past few years, the tech world has become increasingly hostile to traditional media outlets, dismissing them as technologically illiterate or openly antagonistic toward the industry.
—Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
As long as the machinery of war remains in motion, openly threatening global stability, there is no room for complacency.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
No single moment better illustrates this neglect than the unceremonious and unilateral cancellation of Baltimore’s east-west Red Line in 2015 by a governor who openly favored roads over rail and brushed aside decades of planning and more than a billion dollars in federal investment.
—Brandon Scott, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
These are articulate, intellectual characters who tend to speak openly about their emotions and even drift into philosophical ruminations.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Sleep apnea is common, but it’s rarely talked about openly.
—Vincent Morales, Health, 26 Feb. 2026
Some Iranian officials have spoken openly about the country’s readiness to produce a bomb if that decision is taken.
—Jamey Keaten, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Council members were advised Monday that the agreement remains in place and prevents city officials from talking openly about the expansion project or taking steps to move forward with some kind of plan until next year.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Over the past few years, the tech world has become increasingly hostile to traditional media outlets, dismissing them as technologically illiterate or openly antagonistic toward the industry.
—Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
As long as the machinery of war remains in motion, openly threatening global stability, there is no room for complacency.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
No single moment better illustrates this neglect than the unceremonious and unilateral cancellation of Baltimore’s east-west Red Line in 2015 by a governor who openly favored roads over rail and brushed aside decades of planning and more than a billion dollars in federal investment.
—Brandon Scott, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for openly
Adverb
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For many, that represents the appeal of backcountry skiing — a chance to test yourself against the terrain and to roam freely across the pristine snow, unbounded by groomed runs.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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How To Get 'Kaleidoscope' Abelia To Bloom Abelias bloom freely, with a flush of flowers in spring and sporadic blooms throughout summer.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Fleming yells, laughing but also sincerely horrified.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
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Dozens of Bay Area mayors, councilmembers and officials signed an open letter calling for Martinez to either sincerely work to repair his relationship with the Jewish community or resign.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Openly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/openly. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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