OPEN Synonyms: 529 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

open 1 of 3

verb

Definition of open next

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

as in exposed

lacking a usual or natural covering open wounds in his legs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in shared

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pending

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in impartial

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in generous

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples of open in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Bronagh Gallagher, Tim McInnerny, and Lennie James co-star in the film, which played Telluride and Toronto, and opens from Neon on December 6. debuted at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and screened at Telluride. —

Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2024 Four days later, Trump opened a rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, by hailing the physical endowments of the late golf legend and Latrobe native Arnold Palmer. —

David Jackson, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

Adjective

But in a phone call with Trump on Sunday morning, NBC News reporter Dasha Burns said the former president appeared open to Kennedy's plans. —

Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024 Long-term, Wang expects a handful of technology names to come out on top given today’s high AI costs relative to the open and decentralized Internet craze of the 1990s and the 2000s. —

Samantha Subin, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2024

Noun

Hugely powerful glide bombs that have terrorized civilian areas of Ukraine and bludgeoned Ukrainian army defenses were also kept at the arsenal, located 115 kilometers (70 miles) from the Ukrainian border, and some of the ammunition was stored in the open, Ukraine said. —

Morgan Phillips, Fox News, 9 Oct. 2024 Stocks are indicated for another soft open as markets weigh Middle East tensions and oil rising again. —

Jeff Marks, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for open

Recent Examples of Synonyms for open

Verb

Walgreens has a huge wall of debt coming due ($1.4 billion in fiscal 2025 and $2.8 billion in fiscal 2026) and needs to unlock cash quickly.

Claire Rychlewski, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
There’s ongoing discussion involving the slow offensive starts but not enough focus on why the offense has been challenged in unlocking wide receiver DJ Moore.

Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024

Definition of unlock

Cite this Entry

Style

“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 10 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

cachet

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Synonyms of open

verb

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Examples of open in a Sentence

Thesaurus Entries Near open

Cite this Entry