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
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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 Robinson, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … FROM FOX SPORTS – Five NFL head coaches have been fired this week, bringing the total number of openings to seven.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 15 Dec. 2025
According to Playbill, despite the negative reviews, the show had been performing well at the box office, and made over $1 million a week post-opening.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Since opening its Milpitas location in 1997, Giorgio’s has become a place where families gather, friends connect, and the community comes together to celebrate good food and good company.
—Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opening
Noun
This can be an attractive opening, as Schoen himself suggested.
—Adjective
No specific re-opening date has been announced yet.
—Verb
Minnesota was held scoreless on its first power play, and was out-shot in the opening 20 minutes, but still emerged with a two-goal lead via two shots through traffic that found their mark.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for opening
Noun
-
Visit during the dry season, December to April, for cooler weather and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.—
-
Calf and ankle injuries unfortunately curbed a few of his opportunities down the stretch.—
Noun
-
And for those with chronic conditions, every year that passes without a cure closes the aperture on what quality of life is eventually possible.—
-
In Stubb’s Cave, strangler-fig roots teemed from ceiling apertures.—
Noun
-
City officials say Tuesday's fire underscores the ongoing risks at the site and reinforces their call for broader state-level reform to address enforcement gaps at mobile home parks.—
-
Of course, choosing an insurance option that balances financial constraints with solid coverage is by no means simple, and many owners purchase policies that either cost more than necessary or have coverage gaps.—
Adjective
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During their initial investigation, police found that two men approached the home's front door.—
-
Noting that a federal grant funded the initial deployment of ShotSpotter, Lucas said, too often there are technologies that end up being funded by local taxpayers in perpetuity.—
Verb
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Further, this development enhances the potential of renewable energy by unlocking perovskite’s ability to be printed onto flexible surfaces, such as curved windows, lightweight camping gear, and even clothing fabrics.—
-
What was the key to unlocking Mansu as a character?—
Verb
-
Ahead of the Bears’ first playoff appearance since 2020, NFC North champion merch is on sale, clearing the shelves for loftier goals.—
-
To avoid piling up snow on plants when clearing snow, mark them with stakes in the fall.—
Verb
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Last summer, her Hulu documentary Call Her Alex premiered, and she's also spent the year expanding her Unwell Hydration beverage line with new caffeinated beverages.—
-
Backed by nearly $180 billion in venture capital and rapid growth in AI, fintech, and health tech, the sector is expanding New York’s tax base, attracting top talent, and fueling long-term economic growth.—
Verb
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Paramount+ Essential subscribers will be able to stream the show beginning Monday.—
-
After beginning as an unpaid intern with the Cleveland Cavaliers and landing a position as an assistant with Cleveland’s G League affiliate in Canton, Ohio, Skeeter’s career path also took him through Atlanta just like Lee.—
Cite this Entry
“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opening. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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