ˈōp-niŋ
1
as in opportunity
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place
the talk show host's usual modus operandi is to talk over his guests, thereby denying them an opening to articulate their positions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in aperture
a place in a surface allowing passage into or through a thing
an opening in the roof is letting rain drip inside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)
the rabbit found a little opening in the bushes and darted through
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in initial
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in unlocking
to change from a closed to an open position
please open the door to let the cat out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clearing
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 expanding
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 freeing
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
as in beginning
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of opening
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
The opening followed new stores in Dubai, London and Frankfurt.
—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Thus, in a moment celebrated by the poet Martial in his Liber de Spectaculis, the emperor Titus freed two gladiators on the opening day of the Colosseum.
—
Cullen Murphy,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Los Angeles County expanded its emergency response by opening a 24-hour smoke respite shelter at City Terrace Park and directing agencies to continue health monitoring and environmental assessments.
—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for opening
Noun
The match started with Paraguay producing the opening opportunity in the first minute before the Germans came into the game and began dominating proceedings, though not really doing much in the attacking end.
—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
The opening followed new stores in Dubai, London and Frankfurt.
—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
Adjective
Admission and tickets for rides and games increase slightly on the opening day of the fair.
—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Thus, in a moment celebrated by the poet Martial in his Liber de Spectaculis, the emperor Titus freed two gladiators on the opening day of the Colosseum.
—
Cullen Murphy,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
Verb
Sheridan is a long-time friend of Nelson, who left his life of crime behind, starting a new family and opening a Los Angeles gym.
—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Los Angeles County expanded its emergency response by opening a 24-hour smoke respite shelter at City Terrace Park and directing agencies to continue health monitoring and environmental assessments.
—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for opening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opening
Noun
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Garibay’s one-handed save denied Jonathan Ricketts a sure goal in the 64th minute, and Moon pulled a 30-yard opportunity off a poor corner kick clearance just wide left.
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The event also gave Kansas City’s Ghanaian residents an opportunity to introduce others to Jama, the tradition of singing, chanting and dancing that has long been intertwined with Ghanaian soccer culture and community celebrations.
Noun
-
If applicable, low apertures and wide-angle lenses can also help grab good shots of the natural phenomenon.
-
And there's no question about which exposure mode you've got set at any time; it's shown (along with the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and EV compensation) on the monochrome info display on the top plate.
Noun
-
Actress Mariska Hargitay, who joined Swift courtside at Madison Square Garden during Game 4 of the NBA Finals, appears to have one notable gap in her Broadway schedule.
-
By the end of the match, the vast gap in the teams’ rankings had been reduced to only one goal.
Adjective
-
Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association members have broadened to include NCAA Division I, II, and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel.
-
Balogun matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American in a World Cup, behind only Bert Patenaude's four in the initial tournament in 1930.
Verb
-
Muncy unlocking even more potential at the hot corner is a big part of the Dodgers raising their defensive ceiling.
-
But after his imprisonment, Lilburne’s Proposition became the defining cause of the radical Leveller movement, which subsequently dedicated itself to unlocking all of the revolutionary possibilities lurking in the word equal.
Verb
-
This indicates the Saudis are clearing a backlog of oil tankers that were unable to exit the Gulf during the conflict, the firm said.
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Running Footwear Sector Paces Up Indeed, many major footwear brands have spent recent years clearing excess inventory through heavy discounting, hurting margins and diluting brand equity.
Verb
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Your 12th House of Rest and Reflection opens wider as Jupiter arrives, expanding your inner world and asking for generous rest that renews focus.
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This diverse, global podcast journalism is vital for informing creators, advertisers, and the expanding audience, reflecting podcasting's evolving identity and widespread appeal.
Verb
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While veterans jockey for new contracts during free agency, young players are getting their tryout opportunities with NBA summer league games beginning this week.
-
With the hot stretch just beginning, officials continue to emphasize one message for anyone spending time indoors or outside.
Cite this Entry
“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opening. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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