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Definitions

opening

[oh-puh-ning] / ˈoʊ pə nɪŋ /
NOUN
gap, hole
Synonyms
STRONG
aperture breach break cavity chink cleft crack cranny crevice cut discontinuity door fissure hatch interstice mouth orifice outlet perforation recess rent rift rupture scuttle slit slot space split spout tear vent window
Antonyms
STRONG
agreement closing closure continuation juncture
WEAK
conclusion ending finish misfortune solid
NOUN
chance
Synonyms
STRONGEST
opportunity show time
STRONG
availability connection cut fling go occasion place possibility run scope shot squeak vacancy whack
WEAK
big break in the running iron in the fire look-in
Antonyms
WEAK
closing closure conclusion ending finish misfortune solid
NOUN
beginning
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commencement inauguration kickoff launch launching opener start
STRONG
birth dawn inception initiation onset outset
WEAK
coming out curtain-raiser
Antonyms
STRONGEST
completion end ending finish stop
STRONG
conclusion
WEAK
closing closure misfortune solid

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The worst-case situation would be that AI kills us all, I suppose," Musk declared with a smile, seizing an opening from his own attorney to invoke the climactic scenario from the film "Terminator."

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

“Michael” earned around $218 million opening weekend, handily beating past music films and even general-interest biopics like “Oppenheimer.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

In December — soon after the museum announced its opening date — news broke that chief curator Pilar Tompkins Rivas had stepped down from her role.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

John Higgins produced a battling display to fight back from 3-1 down to draw level at 4-4 against Shaun Murphy in the opening session of their World Championship semi-final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Some had been released months ago: their discharge papers and railway passes were ragged from opening and refolding.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Vocabulary lists containing opening

Craft and Structure Vocabulary, Unit 1

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