open 1 of 4

1
as in to unlock
to change from a closed to an open position please open the door to let the cat out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to clear
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions we need to open this drain that's clogged with hair

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to expand
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area when we got too close, the cardinal opened its wings and flew to a higher branch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in to free
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way snowplows opened the runway without much trouble

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5

open

2 of 4

adjective

1
2
as in public
freely available for use or participation by all the lanes at the bowling alley will be open during the afternoon, but will be available only for league play in the evening

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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open

3 of 4

noun (1)

as in wilderness
that part of the physical world that is removed from human habitation a daguerreotype of a cowboy whose face is roughened from a hard life in the open

Synonyms & Similar Words

openness

4 of 4

noun (2)

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 open
Verb
Burchill had opened his window and left boxes of pepperoni pizza in his hotel room at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia. Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025 How to Watch Houston Astros vs Kansas City Royals: Date: Saturday, Apr. 26, 2025 Time: 7:10 PM EDT Channel: FOX Sports 1 Stream: Fubo (Try for free) On Friday night, the Royals took a 2-0 win over the Astros to open the series. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
While the Masses are open to public audiences, they are specifically held for employees and faithful of Vatican City. Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025 Unlike many resorts on the island, the pool is open 24 hours. Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
There’s no control room or isolation booth at the barn; the recording console is out in the open. Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 Building in the open has the power to benefit every enterprise and team that participates. Luca Maraschi, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for open
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open
Verb
  • That works to Elliott’s disadvantage as Slot’s changes are more focused on retaining the lead than unlocking a defence.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Establishing a Foundation for AI Adoption The potential of edge AI is vast, but unlocking its benefits requires a robust foundation.
    John Lockhart, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And in 2009, domestic box office revenue cleared $10 billion for the first time.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Logging out of apps, clearing browsing histories, and disabling biometric access are also recommended precautions.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • For 2024, the list was expanded to 450 companies and looked at their emissions between 2020 and 2022.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Read: The Last of Us and the power of video games One of the best things about the TV adaptation has been its ability to expand past the limits of the game’s storytelling.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In the month following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack and Hamas's seizing of hundreds of Israeli hostages, Francis had prayed they would soon be freed and called for dialogue.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Four months into his second term, the sprint is on: SAB 121 is gone, freeing banks from punitive capital rules on digital‑asset custody; April’s bill scrapped the nightmare cost‑basis paperwork for DeFi; and the DOJ has shuttered its crypto task force, vowing to chase scammers, not software.
    Crypto Confidential, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • WrestleMania 41 Day 2 begins at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT on Peacock in the United States, with the kickoff show starting an hour earlier.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Max subscription plans begin at $9.99 a month with ads while ad-free subscriptions cost $16.99 a month.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The move triggered a 21-day public comment period as part of the investigation led by the Commerce Department.
    Maggie Fick, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Save the primary beneficiary of that public money from more of the haphazard moves that have her franchise in the company of the league’s laughingstocks.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • However, despite these framework implementations, many businesses are still vulnerable to cyber threats.
    Vytautas Kaziukonis, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • However, those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions, children, older adults, and people who are pregnant are particularly vulnerable.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And, to be honest, her description of the breakup at that time sounded a lot more amicable than it’s been sounding lately.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2025
  • But only if leaders have the appetite for that kind of honest data.
    Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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