Synonyms of opened

opened

verb

past tense of open

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

• unlocked
• unclosed
• unfurled
• unfolded
• slipped
• unfastened
• unzipped
• unlatched
• unbuttoned
• unbolted
• unclasped
• released
• disengaged
• unbarred
• unclenched

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closed
• shut
• locked
• barred
• fastened
• bolted
• clasped
• latched
• zipped (up)
• buttoned (up)

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

• cleared
• freed
• smoothed
• facilitated
• unstopped
• unplugged
• eased
• unclogged
• loosened (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closed
• stopped
• blocked
• plugged (up)
• clogged (up)
• hampered
• hindered
• impeded
• interfered (with)
• obstructed
• dammed (up)
• constricted
• encumbered
• barricaded
• blockaded
• trammeled

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

• expanded
• extended
• unfolded
• outstretched
• spread (out)
• unfurled
• stretched (out)
• flared (out)
• fanned (out)
• outspread
• overspread

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closed
• folded
• contracted
• reduced
• compressed
• condensed
• compacted

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

• cleared
• freed
• facilitated
• stripped
• unblocked
• smoothed
• eased
• unplugged
• loosened (up)
• unstopped
• unclogged
• unchoked
• uncluttered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blocked
• closed
• stopped
• obstructed
• plugged
• clogged
• dammed
• cluttered (up)

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

• began
• commenced
• started
• launched
• created
• fell (to)
• set about
• embarked (on or upon)
• entered (into or upon)
• initiated
• struck (into)
• got off
• got to
• generated
• originated
• got going
• led off
• kicked off
• organized
• adopted
• established
• inaugurated
• invented
• founded
• instituted
• spawned
• pioneered
• innovated
• embraced
• took up
• took on
• set up
• fathered
• got down (to)
• got around (to)
• got round (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ended
• finished
• concluded
• stopped
• terminated
• closed
• ceased
• completed
• halted
• laid off
• discontinued
• left
• quit
• abandoned
• destroyed
• desisted
• knocked off
• abolished
• demolished
• extinguished
• forsook
• phased out
• exterminated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of opened

Song opened with a walk, stole second and scored when Tatis' grounder up the middle ricocheted off second base into shallow right field for an RBI single. —CBS News, 7 June 2026

The group alleged Saturday that one of its members was killed when police opened fire. —ABC News, 7 June 2026

The move opened a roster spot for Schanuel. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 7 June 2026

At least 12 people were shot when gunmen, possibly aiming for one another, opened fire near a summer festival in Toledo, Ohio, officials said. —Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 7 June 2026

The museum, now a Smithsonian affiliate, opened in 1976. —Greg Allen, ARTnews.com, 7 June 2026

The show opened on Broadway in 1994, with Jere Shea as Giorgio and Donna Murphy as Fosca. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 June 2026

Masters, which has a Metacritic score of 54 and a B Cinema Score, opened in 3,677 screens with an audience that skewed heavily male (66 percent to 34 percent female). —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 June 2026

Ditto for the realization that Jean-Michel Basquiat died of an overdose in lower Manhattan the same day The Last Temptation opened in midtown. —Literary Hub, 1 June 2026