open-ended

adjective

open-end·​ed ˌō-pən-ˈen-dəd How to pronounce open-ended (audio)
: not rigorously fixed: such as
a
: adaptable to the developing needs of a situation
b
: permitting or designed to permit spontaneous and unguided responses
open-endedness noun

Examples of open-ended in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This ensures that all the dishes go together and keeps choices from being too open-ended. Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025 The big picture: Roughly 5,000 health care workers — including physicians, nurses and midwives — at eight Providence hospitals and six clinics plan to go on an open-ended strike starting Friday morning. Meira Gebel, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025 While Christensen filled in for Mays in an overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16, the veteran’s future in the lineup was left open-ended, if not underwhelming, as a backup. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2025 The 36-year-old left the possibility of coming out of retirement open-ended during an interview with GQ. George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for open-ended 

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of open-ended was in 1825

Dictionary Entries Near open-ended

Cite this Entry

“Open-ended.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open-ended. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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