open 1 of 3

verb

Definition of opennext
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

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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

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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
as in to begin
to take the first step in (a process or course of action) we will open the proceedings tomorrow with a short ceremony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

open

2 of 3

adjective

ˈō-pən How to pronounce open (audio)
1
as in cleared
allowing passage without obstruction thank you for clearing out the hallway so that it's open again

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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3
as in vulnerable
being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm the country's open to invasion if its borders remain unguarded

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4
as in honest
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions a talkative and open child who tells people more than they want to know

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5
as in exposed
lacking a usual or natural covering open wounds in his legs

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6
as in shared
not known by only a select few the two boxers have an open dislike for each other

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7
as in pending
not yet settled or decided that issue will have to remain open until the supervisor can decide

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8
as in impartial
willing to consider new or different ideas she is always open and ready to listen to anyone's suggestions

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9
as in generous
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation he's very open with his opinions, many of which are not welcome

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open

3 of 3

noun

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective open contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of open are exposed, liable, prone, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When could exposed be used to replace open?

The words exposed and open can be used in similar contexts, but exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When can liable be used instead of open?

While in some cases nearly identical to open, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When would prone be a good substitute for open?

While the synonyms prone and open are close in meaning, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When might sensitive be a better fit than open?

The words sensitive and open are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is subject a more appropriate choice than open?

In some situations, the words subject and open are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

When is it sensible to use susceptible instead of open?

The meanings of susceptible and open largely overlap; however, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

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
Klarna stock opened at $52 a share Wednesday, a 30% premium to the company’s $40 pricing. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025 But to open that discussion and strengthen the liberal tradition, Sunstein recommends two essential practices. —Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The hotel said the new flights mark the first semi-private route to be scheduled weekly between the mainland United States and Hawaii open to all travelers. —Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025 Barker shows him no mercy for his actions, but leaves the door open to darker introspection. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Residents of the Nurgal district of Kunar have left their homes to live in tents, on the surrounding high land near a river, or in the open, for fear of more tremors. —Mohammad Yunus Yawar, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 The gap lower at the open is what most traders are watching. —Jay Woods, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for open
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open
  1. unlock
  2. clear
  3. expand
  4. free
  5. begin
  6. public
  7. vulnerable
  8. honest
Verb
  • Ultimately, by cultivating a workplace where employees feel safe, supported, and heard, federal leaders can unlock the full potential of their workforce and inspire them to achieve extraordinary results, even amidst the most challenging of circumstances.
    — Kotter, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • What’s the point of unlocking universal communication if our devices can’t even talk to one another?
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of unlock
Verb
  • The girl was treated at the station and cleared by paramedics.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Soliman, friends say, insisted on trying to clear his name.
    — Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of clear
Verb
  • Unrivaled Experiences Growth Spurt Unrivaled will expand ahead of its second season with the addition of two new clubs and a development player pool, the league announced Wednesday.
    — Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The panel issued over 100 recommendations, from limiting cash bail for misdemeanors to expanding racial equity training for prosecutors.
    — Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Of the survivors, Superman works with Raven to find Constantine and help locate Robin, who’s on a quest to free Batman from slavery.
    — Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
  • His fellow firefighters, including Gallagher —who was injured during the rescue — used extra manpower and tools to free him before he was stabilized at the scene and flown by CareFlite to the hospital, the department said.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of free
Verb
  • Because, immediately, journeyman Jones threw five passes on the first five plays to began attacking the NFL’s weakest starting cornerbacks — a situation too obvious for the club to have gone the entire offseason not doing enough to remedy.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
  • To counter the explosive projectiles, Russian tank crews began mounting homemade cages above their turrets to cushion the tanks from blasts.
    — Marco Hernandez, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of begin
Adjective
  • In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the network’s president, Rebecca Kutler, issued a public apology.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Josh Snyder reports on how the state LEARNS Act has changed public education, including on the local level.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of public
Adjective
  • Last month, the Food and Drug Administration granted approval for COVID-19 vaccine doses for people over age 65, who are most vulnerable to severe infections.
    — Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Recent studies have shown entry-level positions especially vulnerable to automation are being scaled back thanks to AI.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of vulnerable
Adjective
  • But all friends need to be honest with each other, to tell each other home truths when it’s needed, to confront those awkward moments without fear of the reaction.
    — Steve Sedgwick, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But when those larger firms start to adopt similar habits—open forums, early interventions, honest check-ins—things change fast.
    — Stephan Lendi, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of honest

Phrases Containing open

Browse Nearby Words

opaqueness
open
open-air
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Cite this Entry

“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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