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
Trump openly lobbied to be awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, but the honor was instead given to Machado.
—
Joey Garrison, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026
The artist also speaks openly about responsibility towards family, lineage, community; and how those pressures shape both his life and his storytelling.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 15 Jan. 2026
The surrounding site will require public investment in infrastructure, and that reality should be acknowledged openly.
—Heather Larson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Twins officials talk openly about Prielipp as a possible 2026 bullpen option, perhaps as soon as Opening Day.
—Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
The idea of openly pursuing multiple romantic interests isn’t itself particularly exotic.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Alice Oseman, Heartstopper (graphix/Scholastic) Charlie, a shy, openly gay teenage boy, meets Nick, a popular rugby player.
—Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
Rocky has spoken openly about Burton’s involvement in the project.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2026
Hochul has been openly skeptical of the concept of eliminating fares on the buses and also remains opposed to the idea of jacking up taxes on millionaires to bankroll that or other planks in the mayor’s affordability agenda.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
Joey Garrison, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026
The artist also speaks openly about responsibility towards family, lineage, community; and how those pressures shape both his life and his storytelling.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 15 Jan. 2026
The surrounding site will require public investment in infrastructure, and that reality should be acknowledged openly.
—Heather Larson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Twins officials talk openly about Prielipp as a possible 2026 bullpen option, perhaps as soon as Opening Day.
—Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
The idea of openly pursuing multiple romantic interests isn’t itself particularly exotic.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Alice Oseman, Heartstopper (graphix/Scholastic) Charlie, a shy, openly gay teenage boy, meets Nick, a popular rugby player.
—Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
Rocky has spoken openly about Burton’s involvement in the project.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2026
Hochul has been openly skeptical of the concept of eliminating fares on the buses and also remains opposed to the idea of jacking up taxes on millionaires to bankroll that or other planks in the mayor’s affordability agenda.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for openly
Adverb
-
In this space, the living room freely flows into the kitchen and dining area.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Outdoor air must flow freely through the space.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Taking a closer look at the societal environments that overshadow low-income communities must be in the equation when sincerely working to stop child abuse.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
-
And then there’s Hanse, who sincerely assumed he was brought on to be the preserver of tradition.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Openly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/openly. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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