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
Some hard-liners have openly criticized the regime for agreeing to a ceasefire, saying that the United States cannot be trusted.
—
Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
But above all – with inflation and gas prices on the rise, and the MAGA base openly in revolt – Trump urgently needs a deal.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
Just last week, Lakers coach JJ Redick was openly critical of Ayton’s pass-catching abilities after the team dropped a third consecutive game in their late-season stretch without Doncic and Austin Reaves due to their respective Grade 2 strains.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
Kelly was already on the short list for Vice President in 2024; now Democrats openly discuss his potential in 2028—if not as a presidential contender, perhaps as a future Secretary of Defense.
—Nik Popli, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
The split was the first time in modern memory that an American president has so openly badmouthed a sitting pontiff, or, for that matter, circulated an image depicting himself as Jesus Christ.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
To the public’s relief, most commissioners are openly hostile to a proposal to allow each of them to decide how to spend up to $25,000 a year from the county cultural affairs budget.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
That’s true for any World Cup host, but especially true for this current administration, which has openly embraced those who curry favor and has taken a hardline stance on immigration and tourist visas that are critical for the World Cup’s massive influx of international fans.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Vicente, played by Soroiz in a performance that has now collected a San Sebastián Festival Silver Shell, and Forqué, Feroz and Goya prizes in Spain, came out at 50, left his wife and daughter, and spent 25 years living openly with a partner.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
But above all – with inflation and gas prices on the rise, and the MAGA base openly in revolt – Trump urgently needs a deal.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
Just last week, Lakers coach JJ Redick was openly critical of Ayton’s pass-catching abilities after the team dropped a third consecutive game in their late-season stretch without Doncic and Austin Reaves due to their respective Grade 2 strains.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
Kelly was already on the short list for Vice President in 2024; now Democrats openly discuss his potential in 2028—if not as a presidential contender, perhaps as a future Secretary of Defense.
—Nik Popli, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
The split was the first time in modern memory that an American president has so openly badmouthed a sitting pontiff, or, for that matter, circulated an image depicting himself as Jesus Christ.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
To the public’s relief, most commissioners are openly hostile to a proposal to allow each of them to decide how to spend up to $25,000 a year from the county cultural affairs budget.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
That’s true for any World Cup host, but especially true for this current administration, which has openly embraced those who curry favor and has taken a hardline stance on immigration and tourist visas that are critical for the World Cup’s massive influx of international fans.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Vicente, played by Soroiz in a performance that has now collected a San Sebastián Festival Silver Shell, and Forqué, Feroz and Goya prizes in Spain, came out at 50, left his wife and daughter, and spent 25 years living openly with a partner.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for openly
Adverb
-
The logical, unromantic version of their history is that in the 17th century Chincoteague farmers moved their livestock to neighboring Assateague Island to roam freely and avoid fencing their land, as well as skirting various taxation laws.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Wild antelope prance freely while bison lazily graze in pastures.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Still, the energy around physical media continues to surge in sincerely exciting new ways.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The risk of contaminating the aquifer is a long and sincerely held fear among critics like Leigh Ford, executive director of the Snake River Alliance, a nuclear watchdog.—
Mark Dee
April 13,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Openly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/openly. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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