OPENNESS Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

openness

noun

Definition of openness

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of openness Wilson was more open to choice options like charter schools, crediting voters’ openness to her decisive primary win. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026 Many are showing a new openness to vaccines, while members of the general public also are taking extra precautions. — Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026 But automakers are banking on his openness to subscriptions in general. — Emma Witman, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026 Some tech billionaires in California have voiced openness to the measure, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026 At another campaign stop in Onawa, Iowa, earlier Monday, Doug Zima lauded the openness. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026 Anyone who thinks Obama was too tough needs to understand that the only way to restore America’s historic openness to immigration is to do it legally. — David Yassky, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026 The same openness shaped the way Judd thought about materials in these renovations. — Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026 Advertisement Kallas has expressed an openness to the measure, but also advised caution when delivering her statement on European support for the ICC. — Callum Sutherland, Time, 29 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for openness

Noun

But both share a simple honesty and embrace the utilitarian rather than making any pretentious claims to luxury.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 4 Nov. 2026
It is not armed with superior wit or honesty, but with superior physical strength.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of honesty

Noun

Buried in Róisín is a great album in the spirit of Tirzah, Dawuna, or, like, Cody ChesnuTT, that would locate the organic vulnerability of the outsider in the surreal enclosure of the bedroom studio.

— H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 9 Nov. 2026
Smith’s vulnerability proved to be just what the doctor ordered for Kansas City’s struggling pass rush.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of vulnerability

Noun

But when the lines between sincerity and cynicism are so blurred, does intention even matter?

— Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
The first half of the film is on the dull side, featuring lots of footage of Fielder and Holmes staring at each other, unblinking, in an attempt to convince each other of their sincerity.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of sincerity

Noun

Auwaerter, who was not part of the study, said the data didn't distinguish consumption from external exposure -- in other words, the hair could have picked up traces of weed simply by being buried together with it.

— Mary Evans, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
However, long-term durability under continuous exposure to high-altitude winds, changing weather conditions, and mechanical stress will need to be demonstrated through extended operation.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of exposure

Noun

Lin is known in town to be incredibly fair, but at times obtuse in his frankness.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026
The novel, published in 1988, foreshadowed the career to come by taking on, with disarming frankness, everything from child abuse to transracial adoption.

— Casey Cep, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of frankness

Noun

Savio The Brazilian is still finding his feet but already feels like an important player, offering pace, directness and a willingness to take on his man — qualities lacking in many of his team-mates.

— Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Paul, meanwhile, was in a period of uncharacteristic autobiographical directness in his lyric-writing, documenting his grievances with his actor girlfriend Jane Asher while residing in her family’s London home.

— Darryn King, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of directness

Browse Nearby Words

open-mouthed

openness

opens

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“Openness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/openness. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of openness

noun

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