Synonyms of open
1
as in to unlock
to change from a closed to an open position
please open the door to let the cat out
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Relevance
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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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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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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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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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of open
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
The expansion opened in 2024, and speakers along a portion of the trail play music that's tied to the avenue's rich history of Black musicians and music clubs.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
Zoned for agricultural use, it will be kept as open space, Smokey said.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Leon Imber, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The cold open, starring Pete Davidson as White House Border Czar Tom Homan meeting with ICE agents played by Kenan Thompson, James Austin Johnson, Mikey Day, Ben Marshall, Andrew Dismukes, and Jeremy Culhane, had some solid moments.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for open
Verb
Instead, the Bucks are intending to see if a future can be crafted in Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo going forward, or else resume trade negotiations either closer to June’s NBA draft or during the next salary-cap calendar that opens July 1.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
The expansion opened in 2024, and speakers along a portion of the trail play music that's tied to the avenue's rich history of Black musicians and music clubs.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Ahead of the observance, some in the Louisville area may wonder what's going to be open.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
Zoned for agricultural use, it will be kept as open space, Smokey said.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
When does the summer transfer window open?
—Leon Imber, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The cold open, starring Pete Davidson as White House Border Czar Tom Homan meeting with ICE agents played by Kenan Thompson, James Austin Johnson, Mikey Day, Ben Marshall, Andrew Dismukes, and Jeremy Culhane, had some solid moments.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for open
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open
Verb
-
But what’s just as valuable, and often overlooked, are the exclusive Prime member-only deals that are unlocked well before everyone else has access, like Amazon’s Presidents Day sales one week early.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
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Melting associated with these volcanoes unlocks carbon that’s been trapped inside rocks for thousands of years, bringing it to Earth's surface.—
Ben Mather,
Space.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Houston remained up by 15 about a minute later when Clippers coach Tyronn Lue cleared his bench.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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By Wednesday morning, investigators had left the residence, the scene was cleared, and police tape had been removed.—
Bradford Betz , Matt Finn,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For many schools, that means expanding technical education classes, building partnerships with local businesses, and getting creative with transporting teens — some just on the cusp of learning to drive — to part-time work.—
Carley Lanich,
IndyStar,
10 Feb. 2026
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Powered by rapid advances in embodied intelligence, China’s humanoid robots are advancing rapidly, expanding their potential roles in both industrial settings and home environments.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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People both young and old, lonely and less lonely, those blessed with a family home, and even couples freed up the tram for us.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Lilia, her mother and her aunt try to free a bird that has made its way into the house.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many are optimistic the recent leadership change will begin to bear fruit.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
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The field, north of the mining town of Ballarat, had been used as a campsite during the Australian Gold Rush, which began in 1851 and continued for decades.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
What counts as a cleared sidewalk?—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
AutoFlight has unveiled Matrix, a five-ton electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and completed a public full-transition flight at its low-altitude test center.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, democratic socialist Rae Huang is running against the mayor from her political left on public safety, housing and other issues, appearing at one point with podcaster Hasan Piker.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Guthrie was already physically vulnerable.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
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The expedition collected an unprecedented number of chemical, physical and biological samples that will help scientists understand ecosystem connections, biodiversity patterns and how vulnerable these deep-sea environments may be.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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