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
Parents should discuss digital safety openly.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
That tension brings the conversation back to Mamdani, whose campaign, Piker argues, has tested those boundaries more openly than most.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Empower employees by sharing challenges openly rather than hiding them.
—Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Earlier this year, Metallica talked openly about potentially performing at the Sphere.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
She’s talked openly about praying for the right type of man to come into her life, as well as her son Future’s, and Wilson was certainly that.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
Gay people could not openly serve in the military until Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was repealed in 2011.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Williams pointed out that the two were openly sporting wedding rings before the news broke.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
The Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church is seeking donations after former South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace openly admitting to stealing money while working as its bookkeeper.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
That tension brings the conversation back to Mamdani, whose campaign, Piker argues, has tested those boundaries more openly than most.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Empower employees by sharing challenges openly rather than hiding them.
—Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Earlier this year, Metallica talked openly about potentially performing at the Sphere.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
She’s talked openly about praying for the right type of man to come into her life, as well as her son Future’s, and Wilson was certainly that.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
Gay people could not openly serve in the military until Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was repealed in 2011.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Williams pointed out that the two were openly sporting wedding rings before the news broke.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
The Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church is seeking donations after former South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace openly admitting to stealing money while working as its bookkeeper.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for openly
Adverb
-
Every government, donor, and institution has a role to play by funding the response, supporting recovery, and insisting that aid and education flow freely.—
Catherine Russell,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
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The lower pastures, complete with creek access, have housed cattle, while horses can graze freely in the upper fields.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
3 Nov. 2025
Adverb
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What seemed novel to me was the idea of using it sincerely, quietly, without the implicit mockery of gender categories.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
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My parents’ house is sincerely stunning; my mom designed the whole thing.—
Bryce Jones,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Openly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/openly. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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