OPENING Synonyms: 244 Similar and Opposite Words

opening 1 of 3

noun

ˈōp-niŋ

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

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Relevance

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

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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

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opening

2 of 3

adjective

as in initial

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Dissimilar Words

opening

3 of 3

verb

present participle of open

as in unlocking

to change from a closed to an open position please open the door to let the cat out

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as in clearing

to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions we need to open this drain that's clogged with hair

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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

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as in freeing

to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way snowplows opened the runway without much trouble

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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

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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 opening

Noun

The film's opening two minutes play out in complete blackness, a picture-less overture showcasing legendary James Bond composer John Barry's majestic score. —

Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026 In a country in thrall to warm water, where geothermal heat fuels countless pools and lagoons, any new opening is greeted with avid curiosity. —

Rick Jordan, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Their only inbound transfer activity to date has been the club-record signing of Brennan Johnson for a fee approaching £35million (€40m; $47m) on the opening day of the January window. —

Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 Treasury’s move to sever all remaining ties with Booz Allen comes on the opening day of the 2026 tax filing season, and that’s likely no coincidence. —

Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Verb

Vegetation cannot grow taller than 1 foot without opening residents up to fines, but the Charlotte City Council on Monday unanimously voted to exempt naturalistic and pollinator gardens from penalty if they’re registered with the city. —

Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026 Founder Sashya Thind Fernandes brings a global perspective from her experiences working in Dubai, India, and England before opening her boutique Boston firm in 2012. —

Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opening

Recent Examples of Synonyms for opening

Noun

Job seekers in health care may have been able to find work, while opportunities in other sectors were more limited.

— Rachel Barber, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Maryland’s future should not be defined by higher costs, bigger government and shrinking opportunity.

— Steve Hershey, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026