open-ended
adjective
open-end·ed
ˌō-pən-ˈen-dəd 
: not rigorously fixed: such as
a
: adaptable to the developing needs of a situation
b
: permitting or designed to permit spontaneous and unguided responses
open-endedness
noun
Examples of open-ended in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Finding a solution to these problems is a big, open-ended challenge.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 12 May 2024
Made up of eight cups, each one featuring a different color and pattern, this toy leads to some great open-ended play.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 11 May 2024
More open-ended and context-aware questions would also be valuable.
—Wendy Ward, STAT, 10 Apr. 2024
Loose parts are natural or synthetic materials, such as rocks or digging tools, that can be moved, combined, taken apart or put back together in multiple ways, encouraging open-ended learning.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
Despite their happy reunion, however, Carrie said goodbye to Aidan once more at the end of season 2, leaving their future open-ended.
—Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
The most effective human questions are open-ended, curious and personal.
—Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
The questions about the 2020 election were open-ended, two people familiar with the questioning said.
—Josh Dawsey The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 28 Mar. 2024
Rainbow High Color & Create Fashion Doll These dolls inspire creative, open-ended play.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 24 Mar. 2024
IEEE Spectrum, 12 May 2024
Made up of eight cups, each one featuring a different color and pattern, this toy leads to some great open-ended play.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 11 May 2024
More open-ended and context-aware questions would also be valuable.
—Wendy Ward, STAT, 10 Apr. 2024
Loose parts are natural or synthetic materials, such as rocks or digging tools, that can be moved, combined, taken apart or put back together in multiple ways, encouraging open-ended learning.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
Despite their happy reunion, however, Carrie said goodbye to Aidan once more at the end of season 2, leaving their future open-ended.
—Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
The most effective human questions are open-ended, curious and personal.
—Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
The questions about the 2020 election were open-ended, two people familiar with the questioning said.
—Josh Dawsey The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 28 Mar. 2024
Rainbow High Color & Create Fashion Doll These dolls inspire creative, open-ended play.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 24 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'open-ended.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near open-ended
Cite this Entry
“Open-ended.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open-ended. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
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