1
as in honesty
the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions
her openness was refreshing after the tiresome coyness of her friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vulnerability
the state of being left without shelter or protection against something harmful
doctors are concerned about the population's openness to the new strain of the flu virus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of openness
Years ago, the openness of My Days of 58 might have seemed unimaginable for Callahan.
—
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
That openness can be a real competitive advantage.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
This level of openness, Sebban notes, is rare in an industry where margins are often opaque, and pricing can vary widely from supplier to supplier.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Transparency and openness have given way to secrecy.
—Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Viewers applauded their openness and vulnerabilities, tackling the hard topics in front of cameras that could help people at home struggling with similar issues.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
Indeed, animism—the openness to subjectivity in any form, in a living world that is far more than human—is still the default view and practice of many indigenous cultures.
—Colin Cepuran, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The peculiar openness of American society—scientists could bring their families and become citizens—added to the appeal, says Catherine Westfall, a science historian now retired from Michigan State University.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Betul’s determination to work hard and well, and her openness, move Jason, who thinks of his daughter.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
That openness can be a real competitive advantage.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
This level of openness, Sebban notes, is rare in an industry where margins are often opaque, and pricing can vary widely from supplier to supplier.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Transparency and openness have given way to secrecy.
—Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Viewers applauded their openness and vulnerabilities, tackling the hard topics in front of cameras that could help people at home struggling with similar issues.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
Indeed, animism—the openness to subjectivity in any form, in a living world that is far more than human—is still the default view and practice of many indigenous cultures.
—Colin Cepuran, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The peculiar openness of American society—scientists could bring their families and become citizens—added to the appeal, says Catherine Westfall, a science historian now retired from Michigan State University.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Betul’s determination to work hard and well, and her openness, move Jason, who thinks of his daughter.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for openness
Noun
-
This honesty, perhaps counterintuitively, allows for a new sense of vulnerability.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
-
What does not depend on anything is the need for preparation, honesty and experience.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
China has been seeking to present itself as a reliable economic partner, as Europe struggles with a new, less certain relationship with Washington and the vulnerabilities in its supply chains exposed last year.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Advertisement One only needs to consider the ongoing humanitarian emergencies in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan to realize the consequences of giving up on our global responsibilities toward those who live with the extreme vulnerabilities that come with war.—
Time,
Time,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Chinese member Jingxiang Ma describes himself as hardworking and passionate, while the youngest member, 17-year-old Kyungbae Seo, brings a mix of raw talent and sincerity that resonated with viewers.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
But Nick has this absolute sincerity.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to worry over exposure to toxins in food and drinking water, more than 60% of American adults are also very or somewhat concerned about chemicals that industry uses in children’s toys and baby products, food packaging, and personal care products such as makeup, the Pew survey found.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
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But exposure to air, moisture, oils from your hands, and everyday use cause darkening, or patina, which can range from honey tones to deep browns to even subtle green tones over time.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The cast rises to the challenge of Churchill’s rapid-fire, often overlapping dialogue, with comedic highlights including Pope Joan’s coarse frankness and Dull Gret’s unexpected interjections.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The future king addressed his personal introspective journey with frankness and awareness, an openness unusual for the royal family, which is traditionally reserved on many topics including difficult emotions and mental health.—
Stefania Conrieri,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But a triptych of photographs that were released last month, showing Andrew apparently on the floor of Epstein’s New York town house, have a terrible directness.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Known for his candor, Foran once famously told reporters that most of Walmart’s stores were not up to standard, breaking with a company culture that didn’t prize such directness.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
WalletHub has studied deferred interest since 2012, periodically flagging retailers that offer the loans and rating their financing offers on transparency and forthrightness.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
28 Nov. 2025
-
Monique’s penchant for forthrightness, almost to the point of abruptness, is what makes her reintegration to the cast fascinating already.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
24 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Openness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/openness. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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