open 1 of 3

verb

Definition of opennext
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
as in to begin
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

open

2 of 3

adjective

ˈō-pən How to pronounce open (audio)
1
as in cleared
allowing passage without obstruction thank you for clearing out the hallway so that it's open again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vulnerable
being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm the country's open to invasion if its borders remain unguarded

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in honest
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions a talkative and open child who tells people more than they want to know

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in exposed
lacking a usual or natural covering open wounds in his legs

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6
as in shared
not known by only a select few the two boxers have an open dislike for each other

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7
as in pending
not yet settled or decided that issue will have to remain open until the supervisor can decide

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8
as in impartial
willing to consider new or different ideas she is always open and ready to listen to anyone's suggestions

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9
as in generous
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation he's very open with his opinions, many of which are not welcome

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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

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

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
In addition, Imagineers have played up the gold element of the ride, which originally opened at Walt Disney World in 1980. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026 Scott Yard and his brothers own the Smokin’ Yards BBQ on the east end, a business their father opened in 2008, along with Yard’s Tap House across the street. —John Meyer, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Last month, the governor optimistically suggested that the bridge could be open as soon as 2030, with aspirations of him cutting the ribbon for the new bridge. —Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026 Now Baker says the company wants to throw the doors wide open. —Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
Stocks are headed for a higher open. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026 At 35 square meters, the four Palace Rooms are the coziest but make up for it with their vantage at the very top of the fort, open-to-sky bathtubs, a private terrace, and sweeping views of the Panna National Park. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for open
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open
  1. unlock
  2. clear
  3. expand
  4. free
  5. begin
  6. cleared
  7. public
  8. vulnerable
Verb
  • Can the 31-year-old Webb, one of the league’s fastest-rising assistants, unlock a new level from Nix in his third year?
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Though threatening, his rush could use more cohesive sequencing and better hand work to fully unlock its potential.
    — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of unlock
Verb
  • Shortly after the Iran war began, there were several weak Treasury auctions in which bonds cleared at higher-than-expected yields or drew insufficient buyer demand.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • When the dust cleared, De Lander was the one wearing the title around her waist.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of clear
Verb
  • The Moon moves through your 9th House of Perspective, expanding how your ideas are received.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
  • At Fremantle, Katrosar built and expanded a global advertising business across streaming, broadcast, social and branded partnerships.
    — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • That should free New England up Saturday to take some chances.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Kerr’s motion offense helped the Warriors become a dynasty by freeing up all-time great jumpshooters Curry and Klay Thompson, but some in the organization believe the offensive attack is too open to 3-point variance, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Anthony Slater.
    — Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Definition of free
Verb
  • Construction will begin this summer on a new weight room that should help.
    — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The greatest tornado potential is centered on Sunday over Kansas, where strong storms are expected to begin firing off around noon local time on Sunday, ahead of the severe weather developing later in the afternoon.
    — Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of begin
Adjective
  • Not all pads are alike, but a footprint on the larger side involves five to ten acres of cleared, packed ground that serves as the hub for drilling equipment, which can include wellheads, pump jacks, tanks, wastewater storage pits, trailers, and flare stacks.
    — Alex Heard, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
  • What counts as a cleared sidewalk?
    — Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Definition of cleared
Adjective
  • Further, the report said the operation harmed Chicago’s civic life, businesses and public trust in law enforcement.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • But less than an hour of the recordings has ever been made public.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Definition of public
Adjective
  • All these species are far more vulnerable to a hook because of FFS.
    — Mike McFeely, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The tracks are more vulnerable, biting, and self-aware than ever, and in some cases, feature lyrics pulled right out of Hjelt’s diary.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
Definition of vulnerable

Phrases Containing open

Browse Nearby Words

opaqueness
open
open-air
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Cite this Entry

“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of open for Spanish Speakers

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