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
Pruneyard Cinemas opened to a lot of fanfare in 2018, but its owners have been running uphill — and losing ground — since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.
—
Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
The business initially opened as a supply store, then added a taproom and eventually a restaurant.
—Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
However, Demirel opened the game scoring eight unanswered points to give the visiting Antelopes an early 8-0 lead.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
The last jubilee held under two different popes was in the year 1700, when Innocent XII opened the Holy Year that was then closed by Clement XI.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
An opened can typically lasts five to seven days in the refrigerator before oxidation affects flavor.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
The smartest one out of the handful of boutique stays that have opened their doors over the past few years, âme eschews the rather predictable post-war industrial look for a serene Scandi-Japanese setting in a century-old monumental townhouse.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
The business’s first location was opened in 1976 in San Diego and now has hundreds of locations worldwide, according to the Costco website.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026
By mid-2025, the two countries had opened discussions on defense and free trade, and Bangladesh joined China and Pakistan for a trilateral summit in June after restoring diplomatic ties with the latter.
—Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
The business initially opened as a supply store, then added a taproom and eventually a restaurant.
—Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
However, Demirel opened the game scoring eight unanswered points to give the visiting Antelopes an early 8-0 lead.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
The last jubilee held under two different popes was in the year 1700, when Innocent XII opened the Holy Year that was then closed by Clement XI.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
An opened can typically lasts five to seven days in the refrigerator before oxidation affects flavor.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
The smartest one out of the handful of boutique stays that have opened their doors over the past few years, âme eschews the rather predictable post-war industrial look for a serene Scandi-Japanese setting in a century-old monumental townhouse.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
The business’s first location was opened in 1976 in San Diego and now has hundreds of locations worldwide, according to the Costco website.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026
By mid-2025, the two countries had opened discussions on defense and free trade, and Bangladesh joined China and Pakistan for a trilateral summit in June after restoring diplomatic ties with the latter.
—Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opened
Verb
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And the thing that really unlocked it all was the idea for the fourth act of that movie.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Nashville Zoo has unlocked a successful mating rate by keeping cubs together at a young age, going from 20% to 40% to a 95% success rate as part of its effort to protect animal species.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Work has also been undertaken to examine whether regulatory hurdles can be cleared.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Chicago police were called for assistance and cleared the scene.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
One Beijing site, which expanded by nearly 50% since 2020, is involved in the production of the vaunted DF-26 medium-range ballistic missile, according to the China Aerospace Studies Institute.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Since then, Butterfly World expanded to include two aviaries for tropical birds and an interactive lorikeet encounter area.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Satellite television brought a plethora of choice into the living room, Western brands began to appear in shops and, for a burgeoning middle class, the definition of success was suddenly rewritten.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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Rayo began 2023-24 well under Iraola’s successor Francisco Rodriguez but then started to falter.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In a statement, the NFL confirmed that support has been extended to the Cowboys during this difficult time.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Row between stores The backlash towards Shein has extended beyond demonstrations on the street and government probes.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And so, shortly after his startling, spirit-lifting victory in the primary last spring, the gentle flood of inquiries commenced.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Though their time on DWTS commenced nearly two decades ago, Julianne, who joined a season before Derek, remembered their playful competitiveness stirring up even further back.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And so many millions came to our live pages and live streams and channels as the event unfolded.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
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The vehicle reportedly sped into a shopping plaza, where the incident — captured on video — unfolded.—
Bonny Chu , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The year started with a four-day streak of 70-degree highs; however, Oklahoma will soon see temperatures dip a bit into the mid-50s and 60s at the start of next week, with some parts of the state expecting snow.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
9 Jan. 2026
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Sean Kuraly had a goal and an assist, Tanner Jeannot had two assists, and the Boston Bruins started a five-game homestand with a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opened. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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