Synonyms of openness

openness

noun

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

• honesty
• sincerity
• frankness
• directness
• forthrightness
• straightforwardness
• candor
• candidness
• bluntness
• outspokenness
• plainness
• simplicity
• openheartedness
• unreserve
• earnestness
• plumpness
• unreservedness
• naïveté
• unguardedness
• plainspokenness
• freedom
• sobriety
• communicativeness
• artlessness
• genuineness
• unrestraint
• unsophistication
• license
• uninhibitedness
• unrestrainedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indirection
• dissimulation
• dissembling
• secretiveness
• evasiveness
• restraint
• inhibition
• reticence
• shyness
• reserve
• diplomacy
• tact
• circuitousness

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

• vulnerability
• exposure
• risk
• susceptibility
• liability
• predisposition
• helplessness
• danger
• weakness
• defenselessness
• jeopardy
• peril

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protection
• safeguarding
• shielding
• sheltering

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of openness

These two realities—of emboldened puritanism and abundant openness—clash in confounding ways. — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026

Recent reporting suggests Thiel has extended the argument to Pope Leo XIV directly, framing the current pope’s openness to AI regulation as making him—unwittingly—a vehicle for the same dynamic. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 July 2026

Labor groups are backing Assembly Bill 1729 and eyeing the next governor’s race, where Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra has signaled openness to more generous remote work policies. — Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026

We were struck by the courage and emotional openness of this filmmaking approach, and are proud to support the film on its international journey. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026

Trust is increasingly earned through openness rather than authority alone. — Jeremy Fields, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

The practice, which involves paying attention to present-moment experience with openness and awareness, is also taught in public schools and workplaces in the United States. — Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

For example, Vietnam and Malaysia have fallen on Verisk Maplecroft’s scale of market openness, regulatory quality and labor rights over the course of the past five years. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 15 July 2026

Levin’s approach is a steady attention to openness within medical practice, particularly around choices made during early life care. — Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 15 July 2026