as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
an open-and-shut case of robbery
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Recent Examples of open-and-shut
The jury deliberated for less than one hour per count to deliver its verdict, suggesting this was an open-and-shut case.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
Everything comes to a head during a seemingly open-and-shut case of drug trafficking.
—James Marsh, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
Running back is another open-and-shut case with the same projection from before camp.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024
Meanwhile, the case’s ambitious prosecutor Faith Killebrew (Toni Collette) has political aspirations riding on the trial, while the defendant’s attorney Eric Resnick (Chris Messina) tells her this is hardly an open-and-shut case.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
While everyone else sees an open-and-shut case, Justin’s life flashes before his eyes.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2024
The trial has developed from what initially seemed to investigators like an open-and-shut case into a reckoning with a criminal justice system the public no longer trusts.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 3 July 2024
Though the case seems open-and-shut to the lead detective (Bill Camp), the show initially aligns itself closely with the alleged perpetrator and his lawyer (John Turturro), only to raise troubling questions later.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2024
Variations in the gene’s expression would have provided a simple, open-and-shut way to explain how the evolutionary screws on rattlesnake motor neurons are adjusted.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
Everything comes to a head during a seemingly open-and-shut case of drug trafficking.
—James Marsh, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
Running back is another open-and-shut case with the same projection from before camp.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024
Meanwhile, the case’s ambitious prosecutor Faith Killebrew (Toni Collette) has political aspirations riding on the trial, while the defendant’s attorney Eric Resnick (Chris Messina) tells her this is hardly an open-and-shut case.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024
While everyone else sees an open-and-shut case, Justin’s life flashes before his eyes.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2024
The trial has developed from what initially seemed to investigators like an open-and-shut case into a reckoning with a criminal justice system the public no longer trusts.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 3 July 2024
Though the case seems open-and-shut to the lead detective (Bill Camp), the show initially aligns itself closely with the alleged perpetrator and his lawyer (John Turturro), only to raise troubling questions later.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2024
Variations in the gene’s expression would have provided a simple, open-and-shut way to explain how the evolutionary screws on rattlesnake motor neurons are adjusted.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for open-and-shut
Adjective
-
If Hollywood waves are the definition of classic hair, then the makeup equivalent is certainly obvious.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
9 Feb. 2025
-
That leaves two remedies, the first and most obvious of which is impeachment, which might punish the president but wouldn’t affect the validity of the pardon.—
Robert A. Levy,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The Sixers lose to all sorts of teams, with no apparent traits that should target Philadelphia’s weakness.—
Jared Weiss,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
-
The film’s general rigidity and lack of thrills become more apparent when Levi accidentally falls into the gorge.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
But Philadelphia, say the Chiefs, run a different, more straightforward version of the tush push, with Hurts using the leverage of his offensive line to burrow forward.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC News,
6 Feb. 2025
-
However, receiving aid after a disaster is not straightforward.—
Uma Raja,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In talking to more than 20 people about Johnson’s background and rise through the business, two things were unmistakable.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Sivan’s love of tradition and craftsmanship was unmistakable and his collection will be a welcome addition to retail this fall.—
Layla Ilchi,
WWD,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
His performance in junior open-wheel racing is evident from his title win in the 2018 USF Pro 2000 Championship and his P2 finish in the 2019 Indy Lights series.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
-
And when the crosses did come on — Alex Iwobi also delivered eight from the other wing — the extra body Nuno wanted in defence was not always evident.—
Paul Taylor,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
What is clear is that the offseason is now over, spring training is underway and the Yankees have done nothing to replace Torres.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Now that Bregman is on board, a clearer picture is beginning to emerge, yet there are still questions to be answered.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
With her appointment, Smith brings not just expertise but also a distinct vision.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
11 Feb. 2025
-
According to studies, there are over 10,000 identifiable ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious groups in the world (and according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, indigenous peoples alone account for approximately 5,000 distinct cultures).—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near open-and-shut
Cite this Entry
“Open-and-shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/open-and-shut. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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