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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of opened
China’s growing interest in winter sports has opened new space its sports and tourism exchanges with countries where skiing is popular.
—
Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
That’s how the analysts opened their comments and questions during Oracle’s quarterly earnings call on Tuesday, as the company’s stock price was in the midst of a 28% after-hours rally.
—Ari Levy, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
The Prairiefire location opened in 2014, offering nearly 34,000 square feet of bowling, bocce (an Italian yard game) and dining.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
The enrollment slide at the three schools and others in the area was partly the result of decisions by previous mayors and public school administrations who labeled North Lawndale’s schools as failing and opened new ones — many run by private entities — that drew families away.
—Mila Koumpilova, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025
The show, which opened April 14 and was nominated for seven Tonys including best play, played to more than 100 percent capacity at the Booth Theatre.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
The new business along Market Street replaces NoraeBar, a karaoke bar that opened in 2020.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
The trailer opened with Bryant writing a letter to her longtime frenemy Huger.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
An East Lansing location, Michigan’s first, opened in 2022.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
That’s how the analysts opened their comments and questions during Oracle’s quarterly earnings call on Tuesday, as the company’s stock price was in the midst of a 28% after-hours rally.
—Ari Levy, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
The Prairiefire location opened in 2014, offering nearly 34,000 square feet of bowling, bocce (an Italian yard game) and dining.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
The enrollment slide at the three schools and others in the area was partly the result of decisions by previous mayors and public school administrations who labeled North Lawndale’s schools as failing and opened new ones — many run by private entities — that drew families away.
—Mila Koumpilova, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025
The show, which opened April 14 and was nominated for seven Tonys including best play, played to more than 100 percent capacity at the Booth Theatre.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
The new business along Market Street replaces NoraeBar, a karaoke bar that opened in 2020.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
The trailer opened with Bryant writing a letter to her longtime frenemy Huger.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
An East Lansing location, Michigan’s first, opened in 2022.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opened
Verb
-
The car’s sunroof was open, so the couple climbed through the sunroof, unlocked the doors, and rescued the child, officers said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The button is surrounded by an LED that blinks to warn you if the door is unlocked.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The nursery has cleared water-thirsty plants and planted 100,000 indigenous trees since 2012.—
Heather Richardson,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Once the birthing chamber is cleared, Davina delivers Julia’s healthy baby boy.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Tesla's board has urged shareholders to vote against a proposal calling for a political neutrality policy, which would have expanded board oversight of Musk's political activities.—
Akash Sriram,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In recent years, Chanel has expanded its support for cinema, which now encompasses everything from costume design to film restoration, in addition to initiatives geared at fostering the next generation of movie directors.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Russell’s touchdown came 3 plays after Green ran for 35 yards on the first play of the possession that began at midfield.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Sep. 2025
-
LaFleur began his Packer career going 8-0 against the NFC North and was 15-3 in his first three seasons.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The cells extended nerve fibers in both directions, toward the head and tail, to connect with the host spinal tissue.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The takeaway came one play after the Cowboys’ drive was extended by a personal foul on Eagles safety Reed Blankenship on a third-and-22.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Last year, 39-year-old Kendra Frazer was found dead just hours before the festival commenced.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
And despite holding a groundbreaking ceremony last September, building still has not commenced on a 120-bed behavioral health facility on the campus of Palomar Medical Center in Escondido.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
What unfolded in one executive committee meeting illustrates how AI can awaken the imagination, shift entrenched mindsets, and unlock new avenues for growth—even in seasoned executives.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The rarity unfolded five innings after a fellow member of the Padres’ pitching staff found himself on the wrong side of a more ignominious chain of events.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And to round things out, a couple volleyball-centric stories, as the Cards started their 2025 campaign last week.—
Payton Titus,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Bhutia quit his corporate life and started a cloud kitchen in 2023.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opened. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share