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
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Recent Examples of opening
Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Jac Caglianone, who didn’t start on opening day, had two hits Saturday as the Royals’ starting right fielder.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday vowed to continue the attacks and keep the strait closed in his first public statement since succeeding his father, who was killed in the opening day of the war.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Mavahalli is opening Paper Mill Productions next month.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opening
Noun
Morales commented on the incident happening during a busy weekend in the city, which includes Ultra, a concert at the Kaseya Center, and the Marlins' opening weekend.
—Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Jac Caglianone, who didn’t start on opening day, had two hits Saturday as the Royals’ starting right fielder.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since succeeding his father, who was killed in the opening day of the war.
—Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday vowed to continue the attacks and keep the strait closed in his first public statement since succeeding his father, who was killed in the opening day of the war.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
While no state laws prevent supermarkets from opening as usual on Easter, many opt to open with limited hours to allow employees to celebrate the holiday.
—Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Mavahalli is opening Paper Mill Productions next month.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opening
Noun
-
The rapid proliferation of art biennials in the ’90s gave them plenty of opportunities and reflected a world reorganizing itself after the Cold War.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Shamet was fouled on the play and missed the and-one free throw, but second-year backup big man Ariel Hukporti grabbed the offensive rebound to create a second shot opportunity.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Personal style also took center stage in design; take Ryan Coogler’s Cartier Tank à Guichets with its ticket-window aperture, an archival revival that was one of the biggest debuts of the past year.—
Shannon Adducci,
Robb Report,
16 Mar. 2026
-
This is typical of lenses that deliver impeccable resolution at a wide open aperture.—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The gender gap narrowed slightly in recent years but widened again in 2025, according to an analysis by the Economic Policy Institute.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Another admitted to brushing crumbs into the gap between the stove and counter as a child—only to be caught and made to pull the appliance out and deep-clean the entire area.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
As well as continuing to restore water service to his residence after the initial altercation.—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of getting a kickstart on redetermination, which would have started in July under the initial bill, redeterminations will begin in 2027.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Williams started to walk toward his van, unlocking it from a distance with a key fob, the suit states.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
For more than a century, an American birth certificate has been a key to unlocking the benefits of American citizenship.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Heavy equipment is moving in March from east to west, still clearing the land.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
That bottle of conventional weed killer in your garage is probably doing more than clearing dandelions.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Major insulin makers Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk also have moved to cut the cost of insulin, with different combinations of cutting list prices, capping out-of-pocket costs and expanding affordability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The golden arches is expanding its McValue offerings with an under $3 menu and a $4 breakfast meal deal starting on April 21.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Organizers with 50501 SoCal expected tens of thousands to march, beginning at Los Angeles City Hall, a news release said.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
More than 7 million student loan borrowers who have been enrolled in a Biden-era repayment plan will receive notices beginning Friday with instructions to seek a new plan to repay their debt, the Education Department said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opening. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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