open 1 of 3

1
as in to unlock
to change from a closed to an open position please open the door to let the cat out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to clear
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 to expand
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 to free
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

open

2 of 3

adjective

1
2
as in public
freely available for use or participation by all the lanes at the bowling alley will be open during the afternoon, but will be available only for league play in the evening

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
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9

open

3 of 3

noun

as in wilderness
that part of the physical world that is removed from human habitation a daguerreotype of a cowboy whose face is roughened from a hard life in the open

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective open contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of open are exposed, liable, prone, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When could exposed be used to replace open?

The words exposed and open can be used in similar contexts, but exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When can liable be used instead of open?

While in some cases nearly identical to open, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When would prone be a good substitute for open?

While the synonyms prone and open are close in meaning, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When might sensitive be a better fit than open?

The words sensitive and open are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is subject a more appropriate choice than open?

In some situations, the words subject and open are roughly equivalent. However, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

When is it sensible to use susceptible instead of open?

The meanings of susceptible and open largely overlap; however, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

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 open
Verb
The tool can be accessed by opening this link in Chrome. Ars Technica, 26 Feb. 2025 These varieties produce flower buds during the summer that will open next season . Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
The windows were open squares pasted over with layers of newspaper, and the room was occupied mainly by a brick bed large enough for the parents and the four children to share. Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025 When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region. Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
China announcing retaliatory trade tariffs against the U.S. pressured Wall Street ahead of Tuesday’s open. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025 Today’s housing market mostly operates out in the open — in one place, buyers surfing Zillow or Redfin can see nearly every home listed for sale. Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for open
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open
Verb
  • That was true at the City Ground, with the Forest’s captain’s cunning and guile repeatedly threatening to unlock Arsenal’s stubborn defence.
    James McNicholas, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • With deeper, more collaborative relationships, mentoring can unlock its full potential.
    Kate Vitasek, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Pine forests regularly rely on wildfire for the release of seeds from pinecones and to clear vegetation for new growth.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.
    Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Success in this new landscape depends on maintaining high-quality standards while effectively harnessing AI's capabilities to enhance and expand data resources.
    Deepak Yadav, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The speaker’s proposal would expand eligibility to 100% of the State Median Income, or up to $128,000 for a family of the same size, a Council source said.
    Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But Jordan says the money freed up within a few days.
    Debbie Elliott, NPR, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The European Union will free up $840 billion in funding to funnel into defense across the bloc, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Eaton Fire, meanwhile, had just begun in nearby Altadena at around 6:18 p.m. local time.
    Hanna Park, Karina Tsui and Amanda Jackson, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Before the ceremony began, Chalamet was spotted holding hands and kissing girlfriend Kylie Jenner inside the Dolby Theatre.
    Lexi Carson, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The next four largest egg producers are privately held, so their financial data are not public.
    Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Private fears become public and Gaines sharply renders the stress of Clay’s twoness.
    Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Newsom was met with a mix of praise and criticism, including from fellow state Democrats who accused the governor of abandoning a vulnerable minority group.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Pegged as one of the most vulnerable incumbents in a quintessential swing state last year, Deluzio defied a red wave that swept out fellow House Democrats and outran Kamala Harris across his district.
    Charlotte Alter, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Without fair elections, an honest media environment and a credible opposition, voters can’t correct their country’s course at the ballot box, providing competitive authoritarian regimes little incentive to do anything but enrich themselves.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
  • But to be honest the significant immune support is more than enough to keep me taking it.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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