1
as in unlocked
to change from a closed to an open position
please open the door to let the cat out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cleared
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions
we need to open this drain that's clogged with hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in expanded
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area
when we got too close, the cardinal opened its wings and flew to a higher branch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in freed
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way
snowplows opened the runway without much trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in began
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
we will open the proceedings tomorrow with a short ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of opened
On a patch of public land north of Ramona earlier this month, Angela Hernandez-Cusick watched with a group of wildlife experts as the door to each cub’s carrier was opened.
—
Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
The Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation into Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) over its employment practices, the agency said in a news release Tuesday.
—Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
In 2017, when Hurricane Irma hit South Florida, Branches responded immediately and opened its sites right after the storm to serve families — including contacting FEMA to help with emergency relief and providing hot meals.
—Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Coach is taking a page out of the books of Ralph Lauren and RH, which have both opened restaurants.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
It's designed so that one side can be opened and closed.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Disciplinary proceedings had been opened by UEFA against Simeone and Liverpool on September 23.
—Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
The summer program officials said that Camp Mystic Cypress Lake, a sister site that opened in 2020, will be open in summer 2026, while Camp Mystic Guadalupe River will not be able to reopen by then due to the devastating damage sustained earlier this year.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
And in January, a 3-ton truck fell into a sinkhole that suddenly opened on a road in Yashio City, northeast of Tokyo.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
The Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation into Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) over its employment practices, the agency said in a news release Tuesday.
—Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
In 2017, when Hurricane Irma hit South Florida, Branches responded immediately and opened its sites right after the storm to serve families — including contacting FEMA to help with emergency relief and providing hot meals.
—Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Coach is taking a page out of the books of Ralph Lauren and RH, which have both opened restaurants.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
It's designed so that one side can be opened and closed.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Disciplinary proceedings had been opened by UEFA against Simeone and Liverpool on September 23.
—Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
The summer program officials said that Camp Mystic Cypress Lake, a sister site that opened in 2020, will be open in summer 2026, while Camp Mystic Guadalupe River will not be able to reopen by then due to the devastating damage sustained earlier this year.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
And in January, a 3-ton truck fell into a sinkhole that suddenly opened on a road in Yashio City, northeast of Tokyo.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opened
Verb
-
Video and witness statements previously analyzed by CNN show all three entrance doors to the fourth-grade building were unlocked.—
Matthew J. Friedman,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Worthy’s reintegration into the lineup and improved protection up front unlocked Patrick Mahomes’ best game of the young season and his first four-touchdown output since 2023.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After a three-day civil trial, a Los Angeles jury cleared the hip-hop artist, whose real name is Leland Tyler Wayne.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
-
He was fully cleared by authorities.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Two years later, President Biden expanded the protections so more Venezuelans who had arrived in recent years could benefit.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
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What started as a walking tour of the historic Chickasaw neighborhood in 2012, during his years as president of the local neighborhood association, has since expanded to cover the other nine neighborhoods, after Taylor was awarded a fellowship through the Filson Historical Society in 2023.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Many began seeking alternatives outside the traditional system, and policymakers—particularly in Republican-leaning states—intensified efforts to expand school choice programs.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Then, just as her career began to crest, the Oscar-winning actress took a step back from acting at the age of 26 and married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Hailey Bieber extended The Row’s $890 City sandal into fall this week in Los Angeles, while Kendall Jenner wore the same style on repeat in New York.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
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Democrats have demanded that the subsidies, first put in place in 2021 and extended a year later, be extended again.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As the 2025 season commenced, an idea to abandon the new designs after just a few seasons and return to V10 engines powered by sustainable fuels was championed by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Following his disappearance, officers immediately commenced a multi-agency search involving more than 200 people, dogs, drones, infrared cameras and search teams on the ground and in the air.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The incident unfolded in the opening laps, when the brakes on Albon's car caught fire in the pit lane.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The attack, and the police reaction to it, unfolded in a very short span of time on Thursday morning.—
Peter Wilkinson,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What matters is just getting started.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The Giants started the year strong and looked to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres for the division crown, but would collapse in the back half of the season and miss out on the playoffs entirely, ending 81-81.—
Hunter Mulholland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opened. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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