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
Lime was utilized in masonry bonding and surface finishing, so the exceptional find that has inspired locals to visit the site has opened a door onto the building blocks of the city, quite literally, the material and the methods that brought it to life.
—
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
That’s something chef Gregory Gourdet is also exploring at Printemps, the luxury French department store that opened on Wall Street last spring.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2026
The international spinoff of Lorne Michaels’ long-running NBC hit opened with Fey’s monologue, which featured surprise appearances from Michael Cera and British talk show host Graham Norton.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2026
In 1935 — two years after the Griffin MSI opened, but well before the Fairy Castle arrived there — Moore's elaborate doll house went on a national tour.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Paxten Aaronson, Colorado’s all-time record inbound transfer, opened his 2026 account with a brace.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Ridge View has been closed since 2020, when the district opened Veterans Elementary at Mundell.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
After Project Hail Mary and Oppenheimer, the next-biggest opening for a non-sequel or franchise installment has opened to $60 million or more domestically; Us ($71 million).
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 22 Mar. 2026
No staff reductions occurred at City of Hope Orange County, which recently opened a comprehensive cancer care center and hired 600 workers.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
That’s something chef Gregory Gourdet is also exploring at Printemps, the luxury French department store that opened on Wall Street last spring.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2026
The international spinoff of Lorne Michaels’ long-running NBC hit opened with Fey’s monologue, which featured surprise appearances from Michael Cera and British talk show host Graham Norton.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2026
In 1935 — two years after the Griffin MSI opened, but well before the Fairy Castle arrived there — Moore's elaborate doll house went on a national tour.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Paxten Aaronson, Colorado’s all-time record inbound transfer, opened his 2026 account with a brace.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Ridge View has been closed since 2020, when the district opened Veterans Elementary at Mundell.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
After Project Hail Mary and Oppenheimer, the next-biggest opening for a non-sequel or franchise installment has opened to $60 million or more domestically; Us ($71 million).
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 22 Mar. 2026
No staff reductions occurred at City of Hope Orange County, which recently opened a comprehensive cancer care center and hired 600 workers.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opened
Verb
-
Music, in fact, unlocked all the other decisions the sound team made about Rocky.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Does a nice job at the plate, has unlocked some power there recently.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The auditors also claimed that there was a potential conflict of interest problem with the third-party assessment organizations that initially cleared GCC, seeing as they were paid by Microsoft.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The Castro Valley Democrat has held the highest probability to win the governorship since his entrance into the race last November and has cleared 60% on Kalshi and Polymarket.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Back in 2017, as FIU expanded, many students were crossing Southwest Eighth Street to get to and from campus.—
Johane Saintil,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The meaning of wellness travel has expanded to include everything from somatic meditation to hormone replacement therapy and grief counseling.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Determined to find a better solution, the young officer began searching for alternatives, asking fellow soldiers and volunteers supporting the front.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The scorching heat wave, which began last week and brought dangerous temperatures to parts of California, Arizona, and other Southwestern states, is expected to expand east into the central United States in the coming days, according to the National Weather Service.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Yes, Kaufman-Renn’s quick hands at the rim extended a special NCAA Tournament run for Purdue.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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The Shah’s Western orientation extended to culture, and a wide range of artistically important international films could be seen in Tehran, in time including those of the French New Wave.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The personal injury trial commenced in late January in LA Superior Court.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
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But even before escort missions commenced, US sailors found themselves in harm’s way.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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What unfolded was not a typical victory interview.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
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Fourteen years later, a similar situation unfolded.—
Richard A. Webster,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Still, in regions where the most robust legal protections and protective programs have been put into place, female farmworkers say things have started to improve.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
-
At the beginning of the fall semester this school year, UT Arlington’s Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice started a new course in partnership with Arlington police to give students the opportunity to review APD cold cases and try to develop new leads.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 21,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opened. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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