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
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
as in initial
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Visitors attend the booth of German car producer Volkswagen Group on the opening day of the IAA MOBILITY 2025 automobile fair on September 09, 2025 in Munich, Germany.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
The student in question would become flustered and exposed, providing an opening for their subconscious to emerge.
—Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
His historic trial in Fort Pierce federal court gets underway on Monday with jury selection, followed by opening statements on Thursday.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opening
Noun
The restaurant offers a full menu by executive chef Ryan Taylor, though prices were not available at the pre-opening event.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Visitors attend the booth of German car producer Volkswagen Group on the opening day of the IAA MOBILITY 2025 automobile fair on September 09, 2025 in Munich, Germany.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Although most of the locations Aldi recently announced are in Florida, those opening in September include stores in Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland and Mississippi.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
The student in question would become flustered and exposed, providing an opening for their subconscious to emerge.
—Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Carolina lost its season-opening contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a way that made the Panthers look unrecognizable from the one that ended 2024 on a tear.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
His historic trial in Fort Pierce federal court gets underway on Monday with jury selection, followed by opening statements on Thursday.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opening
Noun
-
According to San Diego’s Acting Chief Innovation Officer Alexander Hempton, Mayor Gloria is urging his team to use this moment of financial strain as an opportunity to propose new ideas and work in new ways without sacrificing effectiveness.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The schools that win will signal where education is heading — and where the opportunities lie.—
Jaime Catmull,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If using a regular camera, photography experts have recommended using a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Through this aperture, sunlight could filter all the way down to the church floor.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With the gap between predictive models and regulatory maps now exposed, pressure is building on municipalities and state agencies to modernize infrastructure and flood mitigation planning.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
While the Dell still trailed the Acer, the gap was narrower than in the CPU tests.—
Charles Jefferies,
PC Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Place a $5 bet on the game of your choice after unlocking this FanDuel promo code offer.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Frying cumin seeds is really extraction at work — heat unlocking volatile compounds and transforming taste.—
Sanjay Srivastava,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Slater’s first blast of the evening was a true wall-scraper in the top of the third, barely clearing the center-field fence to give the Giants an early 1-0 lead.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
-
After clearing the House, the GOP spending bill failed in the Senate by a vote of 44 to 48.—
Claudia Grisales,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Universities were quickly expanding, and most lacked both the operational expertise and financial flexibility needed to meet growing housing demands.—
David J. Adelman,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The rewards offered on social media and search engine spending can help reward businesses expanding their digital footprint.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For the second time in three years, Kershaw silenced San Francisco’s offense en route to beginning a Cy Young campaign.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Streetwear and high fashion were then only beginning to intersect, often to the greater benefit of the latter; many people in the industry believed that urban aesthetics were being appropriated by European fashion houses.—
Ana Karina Zatarain,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Place your initial $5 bet on one of Sunday's games to instantly unlock $200 in bonus bets alongside a $200 NFL Sunday Ticket discount.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Ruud made a big push at the start of the second set, looking to basically stick a fork in the match by winning the 28-year-old American’s initial service game.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opening. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share