Openness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Related Entry: Open (adjective)

Open is a different word from Openness. The synonyms below are for open, not for openness.

1. allowing passage without obstruction

   "thank you for clearing out the hallway so that it's open again"

   similar: clear, cleared, free, unclogged, unclosed, unobstructed, unstopped
   related: enterable, navigable, passable, emptied, empty, unoccupied, vacant, exposed, revealed, gaping, wide, yawning, unbarred, unbolted, unclasped, unfastened, unlatched, unlocked, unsealed, unbuttoned, unclenched, unfolded, unfurled, unzipped
   opposite: blocked, clogged, closed, jammed, obstructed, plugged, shut, stopped, stuffed, uncleared
   near: impassable, constricted, cramped, encumbered, hampered, hindered, impeded, interfered (with), trammeled, barricaded, blockaded, dammed, gated

2. freely available for use or participation by all

   "the lanes at the bowling alley will be open during the afternoon, but will be available only for league play in the evening"

   similar: free-for-all, public, unrestricted
   related: collective, common, communal, shared, accessible, available, free, unregulated, unreserved
   opposite: closed, exclusive, off-limits, private, restricted
   near: limited, inaccessible, unavailable

3. being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm

   "the country's open to invasion if its borders remain unguarded"

   similar: endangered, exposed, liable, sensitive, subject (to), susceptible, vulnerable, at risk, in deep water, in jeopardy
   related: likely, prone, uncovered, undefended, unguarded, unprotected, unscreened, unsecured
   opposite: insusceptible, invulnerable, unexposed, unsusceptible
   near: covered, guarded, protected, safeguarded, screened, secured, sheltered, shielded, warded

4. free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions

   "a talkative and open child who tells people more than they want to know"

   similar: candid, direct, forthcoming, forthright, foursquare, frank, free-spoken, freehearted, honest, openhearted, out-front, outspoken, plain, plainspoken, straight, straightforward, unguarded, unreserved, up-front
   related: artless, earnest, guileless, ingenuous, innocent, naive, natural, real, sincere, unaffected, undesigning, unpretending, unpretentious, outgoing, uninhibited, unrestrained, vocal, vociferous, abrupt, bluff, blunt, brusque, crusty, curt, gruff, sharp, impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, rude, tactless, thoughtless, uncivil, undiplomatic, ungracious, unmannerly, unsubtle
   opposite: dissembling, uncandid, unforthcoming
   near: inhibited, reserved, restrained, close-mouthed, laconic, quiet, reticent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative, ambiguous, circuitous, equivocal, evasive, diplomatic, politic, tactful, civil, considerate, courteous, polite

5. lacking a usual or natural covering

   "open wounds in his legs"

   similar: bald, bare, denuded, exposed, naked, peeled, stripped, uncovered
   related: displayed, revealed, hairless, shaven, disrobed, unclad, unclothed, undressed, furless, skinned, divested, unprotected
   opposite: covered
   near: mantled, overgrown, overrun, overspread, bearded, hairy

6. not known by only a select few

   "the two boxers have an open dislike for each other"

   similar: public, on record
   related: general, popular, nonclassified, unclassified, well-known, advertised, aired, announced, broadcast, declared, disclosed, divulged, heralded, posted, proclaimed, promulgated, publicized, published, spotlighted, current, prevalent, rife, widespread, communal, shared, reported, reputed, rumored
   opposite: confidential, private, privy, secret
   near: classified, unadvertised, unannounced, undisclosed, clandestine, collusive, conspiratorial, covert, surreptitious, undercover, underhand, underhanded, intimate, personal, concealed, repressed, reserved, silenced, stifled, suppressed, withheld, recanted, retracted, revoked

7. not yet settled or decided

   "that issue will have to remain open until the supervisor can decide"

   similar: pending, undecided, undetermined, unresolved, unsettled, in hand
   related: hanging, arguable, debatable, disputable, moot, uncertain, unsure
   opposite: decided, determined, resolved, settled
   near: confirmed, established, certain, sure

8. willing to consider new or different ideas

   "she is always open and ready to listen to anyone's suggestions"

   similar: broad-minded, open-minded, receptive
   related: impartial, neutral, objective, unbiased, unprejudiced, easygoing, nonjudgmental, tolerant, calm, detached, dispassionate, amenable, compliant, impressionable, suggestible, susceptible, persuadable, persuasible
   opposite: narrow-minded, unreceptive
   near: biased, narrow, one-sided, partial, partisan, prejudiced, bigoted, intolerant

9. giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation

   "he's very open with his opinions, many of which are not welcome"

   similar: bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, free, freehanded, freehearted, fulsome, generous, liberal, munificent, openhanded, unselfish, unsparing, unstinting
   related: extravagant, handsome, lavish, overgenerous, profuse, altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, hospitable, humanitarian, philanthropic, big, greathearted, largehearted, magnanimous, openhearted, compassionate, good-hearted, kind, kindly, samaritan, sympathetic
   opposite: cheap, close, closefisted, costive, illiberal (archaic), mingy, miserly, parsimonious, penurious, selfish, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted, uncharitable, ungenerous
   near: mean, petty, small, frugal, spare, sparing, thrifty, chary, stinting, acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, covetous, desirous, grasping, hoggish, itchy, mercenary, rapacious, begrudging, envious, grudging, resentful