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
But the opponent was too much to handle, as Team Collier opened a 17-point lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back. —Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025 To kick off the day after doors opened at 12:30, local opening acts Laamar and Raffaella, with her delightful poppy earworms, commanded sizable and particularly engaged audiences. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 20 July 2025
Adjective
What is important to pay attention to is how often a wide receiver gets open. —Steve Bradshaw, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025 Camp Randall's gates open at 5 p.m. and the concert begins at 6 p.m. —Sofia Joseph, jsonline.com, 19 July 2025
Noun
Market update: Wall Street overcame a weaker open to trade higher by Thursday afternoon. —Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 12 June 2025 Now that this uncomfortable reality is finally out in the open, though, the operative question becomes: what is Macron's France, and the rest of Europe, actually prepared to do about it? —Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 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
  • Instead, in the hour before opening, a line grows to the corner, and by the time the doors unlock there’s a digital waitlist, which often stretches to ninety minutes or more.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
  • That means many businesses could still unlock greater value.
    — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Definition of unlock
Verb
  • Certain advancements in technology mean aspects of this are theoretically possible, even though the bar is so high to clear in practice.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 July 2025
  • The snow had stopped by 4:05 p.m., over an hour after the incident, and the weather began to clear, with cloudless skies at around 5:25 p.m., the NTSB's findings stated.
    — Becca Longmire, People.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of clear
Verb
  • The plan laid out in Tuesday’s staff report proposed a ballot measure that would expand protections for thousands of acres of open space across Irvine.
    — Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 26 July 2025
  • As of 2025, fiber internet is available to approximately 88.1 million U.S. households (56.5%), but access is expanding rapidly.
    — Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • The raptor stayed on top of her, even as the woman’s partner tried to free her.
    — Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
  • And, of course, using social media less could also free up more time for parents to spend playing with their kids.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
Definition of free
Verb
  • The Red Sox are competitive this season, but their World Series window is only just beginning to open.
    — Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
  • And with this email begins a journey through so much of what Nashville has to offer.
    — Benjamin Goad, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025
Definition of begin
Adjective
  • Our end-to-end suite of applications and services enables business and public customers across 25 industries globally to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and make a difference.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • No other details of the trip have been made public yet.
    — Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 15 July 2025
Definition of public
Adjective
  • How Did James Gunn Reboot Superman For A Modern Audience? From the very first scene, Gunn depicts Superman (David Corenswet) as vulnerable, having lost a fight for the first time.
    — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Many experts said the ruling could harm the country's most vulnerable children.
    — Arthur Jones II, ABC News, 15 July 2025
Definition of vulnerable
Adjective
  • Be honest about systems that are no longer serving their purpose.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The production noted how the work has continued to resonate with readers over the past decade, for its honest depiction of trauma recovery and the power of self-empowerment and love.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 July 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 Jul. 2025.

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