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
The opportunity wasn’t lost on Shula, the rock-solid legend who sat afterward at his locker, openly crying, in a manner that stunned Dolphins personnel.
—
Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Online, conservatives have threatened to boycott the Super Bowl and the NFL more broadly, with influential voices like Newsmax host Greg Kelly and Tomi Lahren openly criticizing the league for choosing Bad Bunny as the performer.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Hochul has been openly critical of the funding freeze.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 5 Feb. 2026
And as Kevin's story points out, industry leaders like Wells Fargo's Charlie Scharf and JPMorgan Chase's Jamie Dimon have openly acknowledged that AI is likely to take over some of the jobs people now do in their highly quantitative industry.
—Bill Steiden, Des Moines Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Regular updates on progress against these milestones – such as celebrating interim successes and openly addressing challenges – demonstrate leadership, foresight, and control.
—Sam Wolf, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Nay loved fiercely, openly and without hesitation.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Homan has since replaced Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino in Minneapolis, who openly encouraged the harsh tactics and has been reassigned out of the state.
—Philip Wang, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
What began in Tehran late December in response to the collapse in currency and economic conditions quickly took on a political character -- with crowds on the streets openly calling for regime change.
—Sarah Baniak, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Online, conservatives have threatened to boycott the Super Bowl and the NFL more broadly, with influential voices like Newsmax host Greg Kelly and Tomi Lahren openly criticizing the league for choosing Bad Bunny as the performer.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Hochul has been openly critical of the funding freeze.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 5 Feb. 2026
And as Kevin's story points out, industry leaders like Wells Fargo's Charlie Scharf and JPMorgan Chase's Jamie Dimon have openly acknowledged that AI is likely to take over some of the jobs people now do in their highly quantitative industry.
—Bill Steiden, Des Moines Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Regular updates on progress against these milestones – such as celebrating interim successes and openly addressing challenges – demonstrate leadership, foresight, and control.
—Sam Wolf, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Nay loved fiercely, openly and without hesitation.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Homan has since replaced Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino in Minneapolis, who openly encouraged the harsh tactics and has been reassigned out of the state.
—Philip Wang, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
What began in Tehran late December in response to the collapse in currency and economic conditions quickly took on a political character -- with crowds on the streets openly calling for regime change.
—Sarah Baniak, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for openly
Adverb
-
Let the cards and crafts travel freely between homes.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Money may flow freely as the intuitive Moon moves through your 2nd House of Resources, trining lucky Jupiter in your 10th House of Goals.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Openly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/openly. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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