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
In his car, Lestat is no longer able to repress his memories after having opened the floodgates.
—
Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Kyle Stowers opened the scoring with a 426-foot homer in the second, and Otto López drove him in from first with a go-ahead double in the fourth.
—Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 21 June 2026
The floodgates for super PAC spending were thus opened and corporations and the super wealthy came marching in.
—Richard J. Davis, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026
There are two main full-service resort hotels, the fancier of which is the Grand Cascades Lodge, but both have large spas and pool complexes, and the resort just opened a new state-of-the-art fitness center.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
The 12-room hotel, which opened in April 2025, is a former private residence, built in the 1960s by Tunisian architect Charles Boccara.
—Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2026
The Seabird Resort and the Mission Pacific Beach Resort both opened overlooking the Oceanside Municipal Pier in May 2021 with a total of 387 rooms, along with restaurants and retail shops.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2026
Hayes gives good minutes Veteran guard Tiffany Hayes opened the game strong off the bench.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 21 June 2026
The Cultural Center doors opened, and out walked Barack Obama smiling and looking right and left.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Kyle Stowers opened the scoring with a 426-foot homer in the second, and Otto López drove him in from first with a go-ahead double in the fourth.
—Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 21 June 2026
The floodgates for super PAC spending were thus opened and corporations and the super wealthy came marching in.
—Richard J. Davis, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026
There are two main full-service resort hotels, the fancier of which is the Grand Cascades Lodge, but both have large spas and pool complexes, and the resort just opened a new state-of-the-art fitness center.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
The 12-room hotel, which opened in April 2025, is a former private residence, built in the 1960s by Tunisian architect Charles Boccara.
—Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2026
The Seabird Resort and the Mission Pacific Beach Resort both opened overlooking the Oceanside Municipal Pier in May 2021 with a total of 387 rooms, along with restaurants and retail shops.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2026
Hayes gives good minutes Veteran guard Tiffany Hayes opened the game strong off the bench.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 21 June 2026
The Cultural Center doors opened, and out walked Barack Obama smiling and looking right and left.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opened
Verb
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People experiencing severe mental illness, trauma, intimidation, or fear may not feel safe enough to leave even when a door is briefly unlocked.—
Justyna Rzewinski,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
-
The framework also unlocked another powerful tool, Floquet engineering, a technique that uses periodic driving to manipulate interactions.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Ghalenoei suggested at a prematch news conference Saturday that Iran had been cleared to arrive in Washington two days early.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
-
In fact, the battle could have cleared House of the Dragon of its reputation for sluggishness.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
The cabin was expanded to include sleep spaces and communal dining areas for ski students—thousands of Icelanders would pass through every summer season.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
-
The legacy of rules dates back to 1972, initially shaped by choreographer Texie Waterman and expanded during Suzanne Mitchell's directorship from 1976 to 1989.—
Maddie Garfinkle,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
After Iran played to a draw Sunday at SoFi Stadium, its second of the World Cup in as many matches, the team’s coach began his postmatch assessment by backing up six months.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
-
Young also noted that Iran’s Gulf neighbors will invest in pipelines to avoid oil flows through the strait, which allowed for the transit of 20 million barrels a day before the war began.—
Deva Lee,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
Verb
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According to the agreement, the two sides are supposed to negotiate the issues in 60 days but Baghaei said the deadline could be extended if necessary.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
From packed streets to neighborhood businesses, the excitement surrounding the team's title has extended well beyond basketball.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
In preparation for the aircraft’s arrival next year, Qantas pilots have commenced training on Australia’s first A350 simulator in Sydney and with British Airways in the UK.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Years later, on May 24, 2011, Casey's trial commenced in Orlando.—
Kelsie Gibson,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Another worker described the chaos that unfolded when well over a dozen teens brawled inside the diner.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
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As the investigation unfolded, Reagan's family and authorities learned the shocking truth that Parker had been faking a pregnancy since January 2020 and was desperate to complete the scheme.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Just as nine days of early voting started June 13, Conley became the latest target of attack ads linked to Republicans, who used similar tactics to influence voters in earlier Democratic primaries this year.—
Chris McKenna,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
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What started as a handful of infested trees in Evergreen, Colorado, has turned into hundreds for landowner Jon Hager.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opened. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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