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Synonyms

open-ended

American  
[oh-puhn-en-did] / ˈoʊ pənˈɛn dɪd /

adjective

  1. not having fixed limits; unrestricted; broad.

    an open-ended discussion.

  2. allowing for future changes, revisions, or additions.

    open-ended agreements.

  3. having no fixed answer.

    an open-ended question.
open-ended British  

adjective

  1. without definite limits, as of duration or amount

    an open-ended contract

  2. denoting a question, esp one on a questionnaire, that cannot be answered "yes", "no", or "don't know"

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • open-endedness noun

Etymology

Origin of open-ended

First recorded in 1815–25; open + end 1 + -ed 3

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.

Approving an open-ended moratorium "will deliver stability and predictability for all traders", while showing that the WTO can deliver results, said Joseph Barloon, the US ambassador to the organisation.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

The work stoppage, if it happens, would be an open-ended strike that could last until an agreement is reached.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Find insight on open-ended private credit funds, Legal & General and more in the latest Market Talks covering financial services.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

President Donald Trump gave a more clear, though open-ended answer: “I always thought it would be four weeks,” Trump told CNN on Monday, “And we’re a little ahead of schedule.”

From Salon • Mar. 10, 2026

This is when Robert McNamara broke with the policy of open-ended escalation.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.