as in freely
in a direct and honest way; without hiding feelings or opinions
Please feel free to express your opinions openly. The governor has been openly critical of the President.
Related Words
Relevance
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 openly
The practice has surged in popularity as celebrities and pro athletes openly share their routines.
—
Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Even commentators who are openly critical have begun to borrow the same phrasing, the same rhythm, the same constant escalation.
—Atom Ariola, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Particularly in the part of southern Lebanon now occupied by Israel, the destruction mirrors Gaza — something Israeli officials have openly discussed.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
The two billionaires have been openly feuding for many years now, despite founding OpenAI together over a decade ago.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 30 Apr. 2026
The film examines the generation who never expected to become senior citizens in the face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and decades of oppression, who now find themselves trailblazers again as the first openly LGBTQ seniors.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
Realness and rawness Biles has openly and honestly shared her struggles with mental health since taking time away from gymnastics following the tumult of the Tokyo Olympics.
—Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
The president of Brazil’s Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, openly advocated for another candidate before Lula picked Messias as his nominee.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
The program, which the automaker only began talking about openly earlier this decade, specializes in one- and few-offs and is responsible for some its most breathtaking vehicles.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Even commentators who are openly critical have begun to borrow the same phrasing, the same rhythm, the same constant escalation.
—Atom Ariola, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Particularly in the part of southern Lebanon now occupied by Israel, the destruction mirrors Gaza — something Israeli officials have openly discussed.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
The two billionaires have been openly feuding for many years now, despite founding OpenAI together over a decade ago.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 30 Apr. 2026
The film examines the generation who never expected to become senior citizens in the face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and decades of oppression, who now find themselves trailblazers again as the first openly LGBTQ seniors.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
Realness and rawness Biles has openly and honestly shared her struggles with mental health since taking time away from gymnastics following the tumult of the Tokyo Olympics.
—Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
The president of Brazil’s Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, openly advocated for another candidate before Lula picked Messias as his nominee.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
The program, which the automaker only began talking about openly earlier this decade, specializes in one- and few-offs and is responsible for some its most breathtaking vehicles.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for openly
Adverb
-
During that time, however, he was allowed to come and go almost freely, spending most days at his office or his home in Palm Beach.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The moral injury from which hip-hop could not heal, in his mind, was the incursion of capitalism, the selling out, the culture-vulture turn that Bambaataa spoke to and spoke to freely.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The Lebanese government sincerely wants to take control of the south and disarm and contain Hezbollah.—
Hussein Ibish,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Still, the energy around physical media continues to surge in sincerely exciting new ways.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Openly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/openly. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
