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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The roofs were then remotely opened, and the drones deployed to launch their strikes on four Russian airfields across the vast country. —Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 2 June 2025 When the trucks reached their targets, the roofs opened by remote control, and the drones launched. —Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025
Adjective
If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Stay away from open fields, hill summits, or ridge tops. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025 If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Steer clear of open fields, hilltops, or ridge tops. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2025
Noun
And now, Coinbase is set to become part of the S&P 500 starting at the open of trade on Monday, replacing Discover Financial Services, which is being acquired by Capital One Financial. —Rafael Nam, NPR, 19 May 2025 Wall Street appears to be signaling some skepticism about the deal’s viability, based on the open of trading Thursday. —Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 8 May 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
  • To unlock the real value of AI agents, businesses need to move toward a single source of truth: a structured, clean and continuously updated view of their consumer universe.
    — Steve Phillips, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • Just glide, blend, and repeat if necessary to unlock your hot girl summer.
    — Jackie Fields, People.com, 1 June 2025
Definition of unlock
Verb
  • He won’t be cleared to catch passes until some time in August.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
  • Her father, Kevin Fox, was arrested four months later in connection with her murder, but was later cleared.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
Definition of clear
Verb
  • The move also expands its compost footprint in the Southeast.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2025
  • Although based in Davie, NSU has expanded its reach across Florida — an achievement that strengthens its ability to address healthcare needs statewide.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • Then, in March, an appeals court acquitted Lee, freeing him to campaign in the snap election.
    — Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
  • He was freed on parole from the Terre Haute, Indiana, federal penitentiary on Nov. 30, 1948, after serving 32 months of his five-year prison sentence.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Definition of free
Verb
  • Entering the homestretch, Journalism poked his head in front as Rodriguez began to fall back.
    — John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
  • Left-hander Reid Detmers, whose three-game nightmare stretch a month ago began with a game in Seattle, struck out two in a scoreless inning, including Mariners star Cal Raleigh.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 7 June 2025
Definition of begin
Adjective
  • Two months after Thicke and Patton's divorce was finalized in March 2015, Thicke and Geary made their public debut as a couple at the Cannes Film Festival.
    — Angel Saunders, People.com, 31 May 2025
  • But in a stark contrast, Read’s father has been mingling with her fans and chatting with the press in an apparent bid to win public sentiment over to his daughter.
    — Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025
Definition of public
Adjective
  • The Trump administration has been accused of disregarding due process protections, especially for vulnerable groups, such as the U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants.
    — Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • Without strong glutes to stabilize your pelvis and support your spine, other areas of your body are stressed and become more vulnerable to injury.
    — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Definition of vulnerable
Adjective
  • Like so many good honest people with common sense who work hard and pay taxes, the Democrat party has abandoned them.
    — Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • Because spontaneous conversations are harder in a hybrid environment, actively create spaces for honest discussions.
    — Ayaskant Sarangi, Forbes.com, 30 May 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 10 Jun. 2025.

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