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

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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
Her concert came on the exact same day, 20 years ago, in which the Spectrum Center officially opened (albeit under another name) with a Rolling Stones concert. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025 The doc opens with a title card explaining that the participants agreed to be in the film before certain truths were revealed to them, and also afterward. —Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Set against a backdrop of ivory and sand tones, the elegant furnishings employ elevated silhouettes and textured fabrics, while the cobalt blue chef’s kitchen brings an unexpected vibrancy to the open-living layout. —Gabriela Ulloa, Architectural Digest, 25 Oct. 2025 Some coaches have been open about the potentially difficult relationship between gambling and the NBA, which has formally partnered with sports books since 2018. —Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
Thieves scaled the facade of the Parisian museum in broad daylight Sunday, using a ladder boosted by a mechanical boom truck and forcing a window open, smashing display cases inside, and making off with a handful of priceless jewels, PEOPLE previously reported. —Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025 Either way, this is not a conversation that should take place on the fly or out in the open, Maston said. —Jamie Ducharme, Health, 17 Oct. 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
  • Each kit also includes a QR code that unlocks exclusive digital content, as well as a limited-edition sticker sheet celebrating the mash-up.
    — Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Then comes Idea Mode, where voice notes become rich raw material, transcribed and reviewed later, unlocking your reflective mind.
    — Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of unlock
Verb
  • After over 100 tips, authorities cleared Wagner of any wrongdoing in 2022, saying all leads had been exhausted, but the case remains open.
    — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
  • OpenAI completed its conversion into a for-profit company on Tuesday, clearing a major obstacle for a potential initial public offering.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Definition of clear
Verb
  • When a snowstorm blows up suddenly and socks in the entire area, Lester and Mike begin a search that soon expands with the aid of local neighbors and law enforcement.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The Functional Fabric Fair has also expanded its speaker programming to provide forward-thinking insights and solutions to current challenges.
    — SJ Studio, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Thuram drags Tchouameni into the space on the left and Koopmeiners runs towards Cambiaso, freeing up Yildiz to receive in space.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Mele was freed when police linked Locci and Lo Bianco's murders to other killings that had happened when he was incarcerated.
    — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of free
Verb
  • Inspectors from the Ministry of Customs and Trade began to look into the firm’s finances.
    — Moisés Naím, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Connolly began her political career when she was elected as a Labour Party member of Galway City Council in 1999.
    — Fortune, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of begin
Adjective
  • These are especially useful for taking public transport, grabbing a quick coffee, or leaving a small tip at a restaurant.
    — Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Preservation efforts succeeded in the 1990s, with the establishment of the Falls of the Ohio State Park and the millions of dollars raised from private donations and public funds.
    — Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of public
Adjective
  • In fact, the term itself was an epithet throughout the founding era, a way to describe ignorant and easily deceived popular majorities, perpetually vulnerable to demagogues.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The Jamaican government issued mandatory evacuation orders on Sunday for the most vulnerable coastal communities, per CNN.
    — Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Definition of vulnerable
Adjective
  • When his father’s milestone birthday arrived, the teen saw an opportunity to be brutally honest.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Other marketing, the kind of stuff that people who would need to seek out (like, oh, big fans of Bruce) is more honest, like this featurette all about Cooper’s approach to this specific time in The Boss’ life and career.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of honest

Phrases Containing open

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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 29 Oct. 2025.

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