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
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
as in initial
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of opening
Hannah Parry
amanda Castro
andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Yet, relative underinvestment in open-source AI and critical infrastructure, driven by fear and by a search for short-term profits, has created an opening for others to set standards, shape ecosystems and define the direction of future technologies.
—Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 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
Verb
Speaking to reporters in Washington ahead of a meeting with Trump and European leaders, Meloni attributed the opening to a battlefield stalemate and the unified support Ukraine has received from the West.
—Hannah Parry
amanda Castro
andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Yet, relative underinvestment in open-source AI and critical infrastructure, driven by fear and by a search for short-term profits, has created an opening for others to set standards, shape ecosystems and define the direction of future technologies.
—Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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
-
The trend is part of a global $2.24 billion adult recreational sports industry that's headed toward $3 billion by 2028 as adults seek out new opportunities for social connection, according to online market research company ReportLinker.—
Hadley Hitson,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Immersive thriller Asteroid follows a group of strangers who take the risk of a lifetime to travel to a nearby asteroid for the opportunity to mine for wealth beyond their wildest dreams.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The main camera has a 48MP sensor with quad pixel binning, an aperture of f/1.7, and an 82-degree field of view (FoV).—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
-
The series’ most recent season, however, sees its aperture widen, introducing more members of the big-wave community and traveling to multiple destinations beyond Nazaré, something the creators hadn’t really done before.—
Trey Williams,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In the middle lies a gap between strategy and execution.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Both players appeared to be OK. — ILB Jordyn Brooks shot a gap very nicely for a third-down TFL on drive that started with Lions backed up and pushing forward on first and second down.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Aug. 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
-
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
Adjective
-
While these tools are typically applied for the initial candidate screening, these systems can filter out even highly-qualified candidates if their profiles don’t meet the AI system’s particular criteria.—
Jon Stojan,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Here's our top story this morning: Developments can take years to go from initial conceptualization to vertical reality.—
Leo Bertucci,
The Courier-Journal,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Sanders faced heavy pressure throughout the game, limiting his chances to showcase his abilities, while Dillon Gabriel appeared to have had a clearer path to make plays.—
Cecil Merkerson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
-
There will still be the chance to display betting firms on the sleeves of kits, advertising boards and on training wear, but it is forecast that the value of some sponsorship deals could be halved in the next 12 months.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opening. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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