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
The Eagles opened the draft with two fourth-round picks.
—
Zach Berman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
His office opened an investigation into the county assessment department in July 2023, according to the report.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2026
One of the plaintiffs, Ramez Abu Nabbout, said his brother, a father of three, was killed when security forces opened fire on protesters at Daraa’s Omari Mosque.
—Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
He was wounded during a campaign rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a 20-year-old sniper armed with an AR-15-style rifle opened fire from the roof of a nearby building.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Vertical’s lavish Saudi-shot epic Desert Warrior opened to $472k on 1,010 screens.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
The gunman who opened fire outside the main ballroom of the White House correspondents’ dinner is currently believed to be a guest at the Washington Hilton, the hotel where the event was being held.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2026
This is not the first time Denver Book Society owner Rich Garvin has been involved in a disagreement over the new store’s name – a book swap organization started in 2022 called the Denver Book Swap Society also shared concerns about the similar names before Garvin’s store opened in February.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
This family-run gallery opened in 1961, the same year that once-wild Nags Head officially became a town.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Zach Berman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
His office opened an investigation into the county assessment department in July 2023, according to the report.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2026
One of the plaintiffs, Ramez Abu Nabbout, said his brother, a father of three, was killed when security forces opened fire on protesters at Daraa’s Omari Mosque.
—Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
He was wounded during a campaign rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a 20-year-old sniper armed with an AR-15-style rifle opened fire from the roof of a nearby building.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Vertical’s lavish Saudi-shot epic Desert Warrior opened to $472k on 1,010 screens.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
The gunman who opened fire outside the main ballroom of the White House correspondents’ dinner is currently believed to be a guest at the Washington Hilton, the hotel where the event was being held.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2026
This is not the first time Denver Book Society owner Rich Garvin has been involved in a disagreement over the new store’s name – a book swap organization started in 2022 called the Denver Book Swap Society also shared concerns about the similar names before Garvin’s store opened in February.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
This family-run gallery opened in 1961, the same year that once-wild Nags Head officially became a town.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opened
Verb
-
Who could possibly claim to have unlocked this secret?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Eze unlocked the game with great finesse from range.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Leah Williamson, making a run around the pack of players from the far post to the near, couldn’t reach the ball, and it was cleared.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Paul Casteleiro, John Kogut's former defense attorney, fears that Bilodeau's lawyers will put the blame on the three men who were cleared of the murder two decades ago.—
Mary Murphy,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What began seven years ago as a freewheeling alt-country outlet for Max Bottner, formerly of Indiana egg-punks Liquids and the anarchist hardcore band Side Action, eventually expanded to a full band.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
22 Apr. 2026
-
California expanded free transitional kindergarten to all 4-year-olds this school year.—
Moriah Balingit,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Safonov, who began his football career in Krasnodar’s academy aged 12, is not your typical footballer.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
China’s metals industry began this year with its biggest profits in at least a decade as soaring prices for aluminum and copper handed the sector a major boost.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, after getting completely smothered over the past two nights, the Red Sox offense jolted to life in the second inning and took advantage of a defensive miscue that extended the inning.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
There were two errors and two hits that extended the second inning and Snell was pulled after throwing 32 pitches in all.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her teammates intercepted her and commenced a celebration that finally elicited a Nelson smile.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
While most were silent, the few who traded muted pleasantries hushed as the homeowners of the Silver Court Trailer Park commenced their meeting.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the competition unfolded, about half a dozen TV production staffers crammed into a small room watched from computer screens and two oversized monitors showing 14 different camera angles.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Police also said the incident unfolded between Bryant and Corrigan.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
15 May 2026
-
Then the Spurs started the third quarter half on a 13-0 run and erased that lead before the end of the quarter.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opened. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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