open 1 of 3

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

3
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9

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
Indeed, teams like Magdeburg and Karlsruhe have recently opened new 30,000+ seat stadiums. Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025 Four of those restaurants opened this year, and the chain is planning for as many as 200 nationwide by the end of 2028, according to the release. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The open layout flows from a king-size bed dressed in crisp white linens to a compact kitchenette stocked for morning coffee and easy island meals. Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2025 But ultimately Harris decided against running for state office, which could keep options open for future national campaigns. Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 31 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
Verb
  • The Bahamas rocket-landing deal, which unlocked a more efficient path to space for SpaceX's reusable Falcon 9, was signed in February last year by Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Signing in with passkeys is as simple as unlocking your device, such as using a PIN or biometrics such as a fingerprint or facial recognition.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
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
Verb
  • The 8000 was born after the engineers at GE Aerospace reconfigured the Passport’s software and McCullough’s team expanded the fuel capacity in the wings.
    Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
  • Plans to redevelop and expand Whitefish Bay's Sendik's Food Market would put a new two-story store on a prominent Silver Spring Drive corner just east of the grocer's existing location, which would be demolished and turned into a parking lot.
    Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
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
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
Adjective
  • Bengals Training Camp See the Bengals players get ready for the season at one of their public practices.
    Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 31 July 2025
  • One of his top lieutenants spent $2,000 on a public safety retreat at the exclusive Headliners Club.
    Ella McCarthy, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • Because age is the highest risk factor, Florida’s large senior population is especially vulnerable.
    Kim Praitano, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
  • Customers are inherently sticky, but Tenev knows that the old giants of the financial world, including Fidelity, Schwab and Merrill Lynch, are vulnerable as trillions in Boomer assets are bequeathed to their digital-native offspring.
    Nina Bambysheva, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • This is a great way to spot medical fraud or an honest human error like a miscoding of services.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • And this all starts by surrounding yourself with forward-thinking partners who put your best interest at heart, and who put honest assessment of your needs ahead of racking up a big sale on the trend du jour.
    Tim Ringel, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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