as in key
something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal
it turned out that a simple "please" was the open sesame for charming the hotel manager into giving us a room with a better view
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Recent Examples of open sesame
As Snider used Dorothy as an open sesame to the closed world of Playboy, so Hefner planned to use Dorothy as the open sesame to the closed world of major motion pictures.
—
Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open sesame
Noun
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Rooms Across the 30 keys are a handful of different accommodation types.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
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The pitcher and his coaches discussed focusing on previously successful drills and keys in his delivery as possible solutions to his struggles.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Noun
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Philadelphia’s World Cup fan fest will offer free entry for the duration of the tournament, and there are no tailgating bans at The Linc for international and domestic fans with a game ticket and parking pass who want to get a taste of Philly’s sporting culture.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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In some states, Powerball tickets can be bought online depending on local jurisdiction.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
21 May 2026
Noun
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Iran's Houthi allies in Yemen have previously attacked ships in the Red Sea and around the Bab el-Mandeb strait, which serves as the southern gateway to the Red Sea much like the Strait of Hormuz serves as the gateway to the Persian Gulf.—
May 19,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
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Freiburg, in southwest Germany, serves as a gateway to the Black Forest region, known for dense woodlands, traditional villages and low-density tourism compared with other popular German regions.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Open sesame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open%20sesame. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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