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 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
  1. honesty
  2. vulnerability
  3. sincerity
  4. exposure
  5. frankness
  6. directness
  7. forthrightness
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
  • Paxton could still win, but the race undoubtedly opens up a shocking vulnerability in Republicans’ red wall.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • That includes the husband, whose vulnerability culminates in an emotional breakdown.
    — Essie Assibu, Variety, 30 Oct. 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
  • Specifically, the study identified 33 diagnoses linked to exposure to extreme heat, including skin rashes, leg swelling, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis and mental health disorders.
    — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Submerging could offer concealment, but surfacing to prepare and launch missiles would create a period of greater exposure.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 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
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 7 Nov. 2026.

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