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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of opening
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
The Oscar winner filmed footage for the horror flick as a serial rapist and murderer but his opening and closing scenes were nixed before the film's release.
—EW.com, 19 June 2025
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2025
After opening the 2025 season on the road with four games against the Seattle Mariners, the A’s will host the Chicago Cubs for three games — Monday, March 31, through Wednesday, April 2 — at Sutter Health Park.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opening
Noun
Clark tried to erase the memories of his disappointment at Oakmont with an opening round 6-under 64 on Thursday, putting him tied for second in the early afternoon.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
The Oscar winner filmed footage for the horror flick as a serial rapist and murderer but his opening and closing scenes were nixed before the film's release.
—EW.com, 19 June 2025
Verb
India was undergoing a medical evaluation late Sunday afternoon following the conclusion of the Royals’ 6-2 loss in the season-opening series finale.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2025
After opening the 2025 season on the road with four games against the Seattle Mariners, the A’s will host the Chicago Cubs for three games — Monday, March 31, through Wednesday, April 2 — at Sutter Health Park.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opening
Noun
-
Wright’s two-way intelligence and skating speed popped off the ice for Seattle this season, and hinted strongly at the sort of difference-maker that Wright has an opportunity to develop into in the years to come.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
Suddenly Flips More Women in Senior Leadership Starts With Breaking Barriers Ensuring more women have the opportunity to become CEOs begins with understanding why so few are promoted or hired into senior leadership roles.—
Liz Elting,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
The camera connects to your phone via Bluetooth in an instant and allows for full manual aperture, shutter, exposure compensation, and focus control.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
20 June 2025
-
For example, how far is the aperture of the zone around the 11 host cities?—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
So that would be my biggest concern, is whether or not that financial gap between those that can afford it and those that can’t creates way too many haves and way too many have-nots.—
Mitch Light,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
-
Your People Strategy Is A Core Strategy Labor gaps remain a real constraint, especially in skilled trades and tech-adjacent roles.—
Eddy Azad,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Pele made it 3-1, then Zagallo put the game to bed with Brazil’s fourth after his initial corner was not cleared.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
-
The project saw its construction costs triple from an initial request for proposals estimate of $54 million in 2021 to its final budget of $152 million, which was presented to the University of California Board of Regents for approval in 2022.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
Verb
-
Financial clout is not an issue, but unlocking the riches of being in the Champions League and its revenue is an ongoing challenge.—
Jacob Tanswell,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
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Advertisement The film also understands the power of unlocking such a dynamic, without being gratuitous about the visual details.—
Laura Ramadei,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Jackson is also considering expanding her part-time interior decorating business.—
Barbara Bry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Instead, Apple pledged to fund a Houston data center for computer servers powering artificial intelligence — a technology the company is expanding into as part of an industrywide craze.—
Michael Liedtke,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Russian Space Agency also has launched its share of space tourists, beginning with a California financier in 2001.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Luckily, beginning this week, whatever spun off the tracks should begin to get under control once again.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Here are tips on how to stay safe during a thunderstorm: To reduce the chance of being struck by lightning, when venturing outside, have a plan to get to a safer area.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2025
-
And just like each day as a parent, or in life in general, new opportunities present fresh chances for growth.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opening. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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