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
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Recent Examples of opening
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2025
UConn defeated Quinnipiac, 2-1, in the opening round on Friday in an equally thrilling game.
—Jeff Smith, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2025
Jordan Greene, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
This ensured the Canucks entered the middle frame on even terms despite generating just two five-on-five shots in the opening 20 minutes.
—Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opening 
Noun
In the opening quarter, Barkley extended his record for rushes of 60+ yards in a season with his seventh, a 60-yard scamper, for Philadelphia’s first touchdown.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2025
UConn defeated Quinnipiac, 2-1, in the opening round on Friday in an equally thrilling game.
—Jeff Smith, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
Last year, after opening her 17th dress, Ava decided to film an OOTD with her dad and share it on TikTok.
—Jordan Greene, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
This ensured the Canucks entered the middle frame on even terms despite generating just two five-on-five shots in the opening 20 minutes.
—Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opening
Noun
-
In 2025, these nine will present ample opportunities to step out of your neighborhood, try a new cuisine, and dine more expansively.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appétit,
28 Jan. 2025
-
At the San Diego Air & Space Museum, there are also interactive activities, multi-sensory film screenings and other opportunities to learn about space and aviation past and present.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
But as that aperture opens, there'll be more arrests nationwide.—
Elizabeth Pritchett,
Fox News,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Key features: magnification: 8x, aperture: 42 mm, weight: 705g, fog & waterproof, rubber-armored polycarbonate housing, comes with carrying case, lens caps, rain guard, neck strap, and lens cloth.—
Chris McMullen,
Space.com,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
And yet, for the first time since that gap began to open, Notre Dame has an honest chance to go all the way.—
Pete Sampson,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Smaller grains mean a far greater number of them, as well as a larger number of the tiny gaps between them.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The initial report from the Senior Bowl is also derived from the in-person meetings that players are allowed to have with teams.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Jan. 2025
-
This initial impulse or élan vital is then guided by the fairies Mrs. Bedonebyasyoudid and her sister, Mrs. Doasyouwouldbedoneby.—
Ben Woollard,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Jan. 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
-
These investigations are crucial for unlocking further secrets of the universe.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Thousands of Starbucks baristas are set to walk off the job on Tuesday, expanding the dayslong holiday strike to 300 stores in dozens of cities and towns nationwide, according to the union Starbucks Workers United.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Many are expanding across markets.—
Alex Lazarow,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Clothing makers will have to collect, transport, repair, sort, recycle and otherwise manage the end-of-life of their products beginning in 2030.—
Lewis Perkins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The clock is ticking on the Bears beginning construction before this year ends.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
And now that idea has its chance to come to life in a big way in Chicago.—
Dan Wiederer,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
-
There won’t even be a return trip to the AFC Championship and a chance to enact revenge on the Chiefs.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near opening
Cite this Entry
“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opening. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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