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
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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
Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2025
With the rule gone, Rodon, along with other Yankees, had beards on opening day.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 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
According to a spokesperson for Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, uptown occupancy rates for on the festival’s opening day was 89.9%, 82.7% on its second and 76.3% on the the final day.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2025
With the rule gone, Rodon, along with other Yankees, had beards on opening day.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 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
-
Appearing on The Tonight Show, Isaacs was asked the reaction to his character’s accent and took the opportunity to make light of his full frontal moment.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The contest, which dates back to 1960, offers golf pros the opportunity to participate in a lighthearted session shortly before the real competition tees off.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The alleged suspension of information operations aimed at Russia and growing mistrust between the United States and its European allies open wide the aperture for foreign information and influence warfare.—
Michael Miklaucic,
Twin Cities,
5 Apr. 2025
-
The watch is presented in 18-karat white gold, with the winding crown positioned on the left side of the case and the date aperture at 9 o’clock.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Wiegman wants to have a balanced team for the summer but the midfield is a gap that is yet to be addressed.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Solar power shows a smaller partisan gap, with Democrats preferring solar around 20 percentage points more than Republicans.—
Dilnaz Hasim,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Clark made the initial comments in her interview in December with Time Magazine and refreshed those remarks in her interview with comedian David Letterman.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
To get a more complete picture of the impact of Trump’s initial tariff policies on the sporting goods and apparel industry, Sportico obtained a list of suppliers for 11 major companies that share their facilities on the platform Open Supply Hub.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
10 Apr. 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
-
Last month, the Biden administration proposed further expanding access to the drugs for enrollees in Medicare and Medicaid.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The academy also says that beginning in 2026, a main title theme must be used in at least half of eligible episodes to be considered for an Emmy.—
Rick Porter,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Jan. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Key Takeaways Understanding local bird species' nesting habits improves your chances of attracting them to your birdhouse.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2025
-
There’s a slight chance Michael could still boogie down the road toward the end of this year for awards season; that isn’t out of the question.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opening. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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