open letter

noun

Synonyms of open letternext
: a published letter of protest or appeal usually addressed to an individual but intended for the general public

Examples of open letter in a Sentence

In an open letter to the company, a citizens' group implored company executives to reconsider their decision to close the factory.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
DePaul faculty members in March signed an open letter asking the university to reconsider the closure. — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 In an open letter published in February, DePaul’s president Rob Manuel, provost emerita Salma Ghanem, and executive vice president Sherri Sidler, revealed the university’s plans to close DPAM. — News Desk, Artforum, 26 Oct. 2026 Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones have signed an open letter in support of their Normal People scribe Sally Rooney. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026 Her open letter to the Johnson County Election Office had been shared more than 200 times by Thursday afternoon. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for open letter

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of open letter was in 1898

Rhymes for open letter

See All Rhymes for open letter

Browse Nearby Words

open-label
open letter
open-letter proof
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Cite this Entry

“Open letter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20letter. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

open letter

noun
: a letter (as one addressed to an official) for the public to see and printed in a newspaper or magazine

More from Merriam-Webster on open letter

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for open letter

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