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
as in initial
Related Words
Dissimilar 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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of opening
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
At the opening concert of HISTORYTalks in Philadelphia on April 17, the 48-year-old singer reflected on making the 2003 hit.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
What was the difference between the Nuggets’ defense and traffic cones in the opening 24 minutes?
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2026
Jason Dill
april 28, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
The London revival of Evita, directed by Jamie Lloyd, began previews at the London Palladium on June 14, 2025, before opening July 1.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opening
Noun
Romantic Venus sextiles dreamy Neptune, softening conversations and opening space for empathy, imagination, and meaningful exchange.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
At the opening concert of HISTORYTalks in Philadelphia on April 17, the 48-year-old singer reflected on making the 2003 hit.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The game time temperature of 91 degrees was the hottest opening day in the history of Busch Stadium, eclipsing the previous mark of 73 degrees on April 5, 1999.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
What was the difference between the Nuggets’ defense and traffic cones in the opening 24 minutes?
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
Not even Hurricane Milton could deter Tom Theophilopoulos from opening a new restaurant.
—Jason Dill
april 28, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
The London revival of Evita, directed by Jamie Lloyd, began previews at the London Palladium on June 14, 2025, before opening July 1.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opening
Noun
-
In a sign of the pressure for Republicans to take advantage of the opportunity, multiple hopefuls running for governor in GOP primaries called for immediate redraws.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
What once felt like an opportunity to close has become something closer to a necessity.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Also on the periphery are four apertures showing the hours, minutes, day, and date.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Roku pact, which starts this fall, is also an effort to widen the aperture.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The new batch of money is separate from a $245 million pool of new funds officials already allocated to help close looming budget gaps.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Canadian reverse logistics company’s pathway-level data report details the limitations, trade-offs and infrastructure gaps that defining the sector—something Debrand likened to opening the black box of textile circularity.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
More advanced detailing came a year after the launch of the Air Max 1000 on the Air Max 95000, as Project Nectar tech allows for the application of additional elements after the initial print run.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Kuchler said the group’s initial meetings would be educational and involve reviewing plans, going over the village’s Comprehensive Plan, and looking at results from communities with similar plans.—
Hank Beckman,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Scientists study them in hopes of unlocking the secrets behind their regenerative powers — and whether similar mechanisms might one day be applied to human medicine, including the possibility of regrowing complex tissues or even limbs.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Rice commanding such a fee was down to Moyes unlocking his full potential.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pashinyan’s pro-Western stance led to a deterioration of relations with Moscow, clearing the way for Azerbaijan’s seizure of the territory in 2020-2023.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
-
That includes clearing dead or dying vegetation within 100 feet of all structures, landscaping with fire-resistant plans and non-flammable ground cover, and disposing of landscaping debris in other ways.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Southern Anoka County Assistance food shelf (SACA) is expanding to meet a growing need in Columbia Heights.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The store initially sold ice cream before expanding to chocolates in 1965.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nate Tibbetts played for the men’s basketball team at the University of South Dakota before beginning his coaching career as an assistant for the University of Sioux Falls men’s basketball team.—
Annie Costabile,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
An old order is passing away and a new one is beginning.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opening. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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