OPENED Synonyms: 132 Similar and Opposite Words

opened

verb

past tense of open

as in unlocked

to change from a closed to an open position please open the door to let the cat out

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Relevance

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as in cleared

to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions we need to open this drain that's clogged with hair

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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

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as in freed

to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way snowplows opened the runway without much trouble

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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

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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 With a runner at second, Patrick Bailey opened the 10th with a single off Kyle Finnegan (3-1). — Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026 Located in a free trade zone on the outskirts of Lagos, the Dangote Refinery opened two years ago and has become the main supplier of fuels to the Nigerian market, as well as a jet fuel exporter to Europe. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026 In 2005, the Cage was opened by Ross (the Boss) Friedman, a founding member of the pugnacious and seminal punk band the Dictators, stalwarts of the early CBGB scene. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 The cause of the explosion has not been determined and the Mexico State Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation. — CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026 The former home opened as a museum to the public in 1919, almost 200 years after it was built for a wealthy financier. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2026 Two years later, Carleen opened associate degree programs at two more campuses in West Palm Beach and Palm Bay. — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026 The city of Yorkville is once again celebrating the Labor Day weekend with its 33rd annual Hometown Days Festival, which opened on Thursday and runs through Sunday. — David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 Mamdani opened the news conference by expressing his condolences to the victims and their families and thanking the officers who responded. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for opened

Verb

In other words, one platform shut the door to AI agents outright; the other unlocked it on its own terms.

— Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 2 Sep. 2026
Once Meriwether unlocked that initial murder mystery, the rest cascaded like dominoes.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of unlocked

Verb

More Great Living Stories From Vogue The Vogue Runway app has expanded!

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 6 Sep. 2026
The survey found that voters favored a generic Democratic candidate for Congress over a Republican 46% to 40%, but the Democratic advantage expanded to 11 points among those who definitely plan to vote.

— Zac Anderson, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of expanded

Verb

The Procession of Lights on Wednesday began at the People’s Salvation Cathedral, known as the National Cathedral, which is the world’s largest Christian Orthodox church.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Kansas City Royals left-hander Noah Cameron began calling his own pitches on July 24 against the Detroit Tigers.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of began

Verb

At first glance, the second-guessing commenced as Leading Change had only two career starts to his credit.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The game commenced with four unanswered scores from Jenks and sloppy play from Southlake Carroll that included a handful of early penalties, messy substitutions and a lack of rhythm.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of commenced

Verb

That possibility, however subtle, may have helped drive the legal chaos that unfolded in Baton Rouge just 48 hours before LSU was scheduled to take the field.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
All of this has unfolded in a consequential season for Bohm, who is an impending free agent.

— Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of unfolded

Verb

Mayfield, who injured his left shoulder in late November against the Los Angeles Rams, started all 17 games last year for the third season in a row and passed for 3,693 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Several of these improvements started with the haul the Cowboys got in the Parsons trade last summer, which has afforded Dallas opportunities to address the gaping holes on this team.

— Zak Keefer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026