open 1 of 3

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5

open

2 of 3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 track is about cautiously opening yourself up to a new relationship after a painful breakup, finding comfort in someone who appreciates the very qualities a former partner criticized. Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 The dynamic duo of Jonda Valentine, an artist and daughter of a Pentecostal preacher, and her longtime friend Christa Suppan, who started as a bartender when Lipstick first opened, share co-ownership of the two bars. Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 July 2026
Adjective
Her Oscar de la Renta minidress was formed from strands of crystals draped over a nude base, with an open back and more beading suspended around her arms. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 July 2026 That will really set the tone for that day, which is just being plotted out now, to really engage in a conversation that will be open to industry pass holders, press, and public to talk about the future of independent film. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026
Noun
Ted Daniels, who, during a 2012 firefight in Afghanistan, moved into the open to draw enemy fire away from other soldiers in his unit. Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2026 That leaves one slot open, which could easily go to another Pitt actor, Pluribus love interest Karolina Wydra, or, gasp, Sydney Sweeney, who received strong reviews for her work on the final season of Euphoria. Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for open
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open
Verb
  • Our expert take The Citi Strata Premier® Card has competitive rewards rates and unlocks access to all of the Citi ThankYou® transfer partners, which boosts the value of your points.
    Ryley Amond, CNBC, 1 July 2026
  • The trend could even unlock a more flexible energy supply for power grid operators and even AI data centers.
    Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • The gateway earns its place where an integration is shared, permissioned, observable or reused across many agents, and buyers should be honest about how much of their tool access clears that bar.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • During first-half stoppage time, Mexicos’ César Montes received the ball inside the six-yard box, but Bellingham cleared what looked like a certain goal.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • The council would then examine the details surrounding the change before passing an ordinance expanding those voting rights.
    Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Since then, the United States has expanded from 13 colonies along the Atlantic coast to 50 states stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific and beyond.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Crews stabilized the pickup before performing a technical extrication to free the driver.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
  • The flywheel does not need to be replaced every 3-5 years and can be installed outdoors, freeing up more space and cash for compute.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Friends of both Swift and the Kansas City Chiefs football star tight end began arriving mid-afternoon in a steady stream of SUVs.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Nunez said investigators planned to interview an employee who was working at the business when the blaze began.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • Not all pads are alike, but a footprint on the larger side involves five to ten acres of cleared, packed ground that serves as the hub for drilling equipment, which can include wellheads, pump jacks, tanks, wastewater storage pits, trailers, and flare stacks.
    Alex Heard, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
  • What counts as a cleared sidewalk?
    Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • At least two other children in Florida have died in hot cars since the beginning of 2026, according to the education and public awareness group Kids and Cars.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2026
  • Unitree has emerged as the world’s largest humanoid robot maker and is preparing for a public listing in Shanghai later this year.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Key industries like agriculture, outdoor recreation, and the power grid are structurally vulnerable to water scarcity and extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change.
    Kelly Fleming, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • The gang members and associates allegedly focused on recruiting vulnerable minor girls and young women, many of whom came from broken homes or had fallen through the foster care system, Essayli said Wednesday.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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