openness

noun

Definition of opennessnext
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

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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

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 This openness brought him his second major award, the Nicholas Rescher Prize for Systematic Philosophy, a prize created to counter the tendencies of philosophers to narrow their specialization. — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Wilson has signaled an openness to pulling back some harm-reduction policies. — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 The Big Five traits are openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. — Refractor, 27 July 2026 There is a track record of both teams displaying an openness to discuss buying and selling. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for openness
  1. honesty
  2. vulnerability
  3. sincerity
  4. exposure
  5. frankness
  6. directness
  7. forthrightness
Noun
  • Making good on his promise in The Holdovers, Dominic Sessa is excellent in the role, nailing the contradictory aspects of a slippery character while mapping his coming-of-age arc with empathy and honesty.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026
  • An honesty first, the kind the easy version of this argument would skip.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of honesty
Noun
  • Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, usually an avenue for around 20% of the world's LNG trade, have underscored the importance of the project and highlighted the vulnerability of global energy supplies.
    — Emma Graham, CNBC, 21 July 2026
  • Rampant inflation and poverty fueled a wave of mass protests against the regime in January, and Israel sees the Iranian economy as one of the regime’s biggest vulnerabilities.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of vulnerability
Noun
  • But perhaps the performance that lingers most in our minds is that of Elliot Page, 39, who in just a few short scenes anchors the film with his guileless sincerity and righteous anger.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 July 2026
  • In a testament to that sincerity, Neil Young had the Stop Shopping Choir open for him on his 2024 tour.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Definition of sincerity
Noun
  • Insurers can more accurately model their exposure to weather risks.
    — Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Although each vineyard has its own unique soils, exposures, and water availability, the sibling regions are simply two different appellations cultivating the same grape.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of exposure
Noun
  • Seydoux asks me in a moment of frankness.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 18 May 2026
  • Her love for the city is palpable, imbued with her frankness, her fun, her queerness, and her history.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of frankness
Noun
  • While Arsenal’s directness from last summer’s friendlies did not stick, the Rice-Zubimendi partnership did, showing how important these warm-up matches can be.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • Advertisement In recent years, Warwick has also become beloved by younger generations for the directness that has defined her public persona.
    — Debbie Millman, Time, 25 July 2026
Definition of directness
Noun
  • Alvarado has had to address that in the wake of the film’s release, and perhaps that forthrightness has aided the box office.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
  • Your forthrightness will set the tone for future dates.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Definition of forthrightness

Browse Nearby Words

open-mouthed
openness
opens
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Cite this Entry

“Openness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/openness. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of openness for Spanish Speakers

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