1
as in honesty
the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions
her openness was refreshing after the tiresome coyness of her friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vulnerability
the state of being left without shelter or protection against something harmful
doctors are concerned about the population's openness to the new strain of the flu virus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of openness
Its peril lies in global fragmentation, weakened alliances, and a China that pockets newfound influence without offering openness or magnanimity in return.
—
Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
China, meanwhile, is rapidly climbing Henley’s passport rankings thanks to a new policy of openness and globalism since the pandemic.
—Laura Bassett, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
State legislative leaders also expressed recent openness to the Mega Projects deal.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
That sense of kindness and openness makes the city feel welcoming in a way that’s both comforting and refreshing.
—Shindy Chen
february 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
That includes basic phone etiquette, writing, professional dress, and openness to feedback.
—Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Make openness your guiding star.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
The process emphasizes efficiency and openness, offering people a sense of direction without unnecessary complexity.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Hamas signaled openness to disarmament as part of ceasefire negotiations, proposing a 10-year weapons reduction period and international peacekeeping presence in Gaza.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
China, meanwhile, is rapidly climbing Henley’s passport rankings thanks to a new policy of openness and globalism since the pandemic.
—Laura Bassett, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
State legislative leaders also expressed recent openness to the Mega Projects deal.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
That sense of kindness and openness makes the city feel welcoming in a way that’s both comforting and refreshing.
—Shindy Chen
february 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
That includes basic phone etiquette, writing, professional dress, and openness to feedback.
—Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Make openness your guiding star.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
The process emphasizes efficiency and openness, offering people a sense of direction without unnecessary complexity.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Hamas signaled openness to disarmament as part of ceasefire negotiations, proposing a 10-year weapons reduction period and international peacekeeping presence in Gaza.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for openness
Noun
-
That honesty was essential to the film.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Moura inhabits the raw honesty of a man caught in the heart of authoritarianism, anchoring a timely, true-story-adjacent drama.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That accounts equally for Lily’s arch froideur and Diana’s enduring lack of self-worth, played by both actors with care and compassion, and contrasting flickers of vulnerability and resolve, respectively.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Seized by a desperate need to be heard and unable to speak, Sara reaches for another language, leaving her son a final message through an act of profound vulnerability.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Part of what makes it such an uneasy sit is its sincerity.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Kitsune distrusts systems and sincerity equally.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Food preferences begin in the first years of life, so the findings of the study are alarming, said Jane Houlihan, research director for Healthy Babies, Bright Futures, an alliance of nonprofits, scientists and donors with a mission of reducing babies’ exposures to neurotoxic chemicals.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The study didn’t determine whether any particular amount of chemical exposure from the hair extensions was above legal standards or would necessarily cause health issues in people, however.—
Aude Konan,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
However, don’t let your frankness be a hard no.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt brushed off those comments as an example of the president’s frankness.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Under the current setup, Amad has shown directness, assist threat and a willingness to get in behind the defence — attributes that translate well to FPL scoring.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
However, treating this relationship transition with kindness, directness and respect is your responsibility.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
WalletHub has studied deferred interest since 2012, periodically flagging retailers that offer the loans and rating their financing offers on transparency and forthrightness.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
28 Nov. 2025
-
Monique’s penchant for forthrightness, almost to the point of abruptness, is what makes her reintegration to the cast fascinating already.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
24 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Openness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/openness. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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