opened

past tense of open
1
2
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

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 Benjamin Willis, a Lorain, Ohio, teenager and huge Marvel movie fan, opened his mouth in awe. Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 6 July 2026 Throughout its lifespan, the station has served as a test bed for scientific research in microgravity and has in years past opened itself up to private commercial missions. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 7 July 2026 The largest diamond mine in the world is officially opened in northern Botswana; it is expected to increase Botswana’s diamond production by 30 percent. Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 July 2026 The 270,000-square-foot building opened in 2023 with computerized saws and equipment imported from Germany. Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 In Portugal’s Round of 32 win over Croatia, Ronaldo opened the scoring for A Seleção with a penalty kick in the 68th minute. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2026 The Oak Park Mall location opened in November 2010, according to previous reporting from The Star. Jenna Thompson july 6, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026 Mandazis, ginger rice congee and crispy lentil kofte can be found in a new cafe, run by the nonprofit organization MAKE Projects, which opened at the end of June with a mission to empower immigrant and refugee women. Madeleine Kashkooli, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2026 Advertisement The first AI for Good summit opened in Geneva in 2017, a year after AlphaGo beat one of the greatest Go players alive, Lee Sedol. Alain Berset, Time, 6 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opened
Verb
  • The Argentine legend unlocked the Cape Verde defense in the 29th minute, controlling a long diagonal pass with one touch in the box and promptly flicking it over the head of a charging Vozinha.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • Prominent voices fear that the end result of the transformative technology is a job bloodbath and national security catastrophes, while others believe a new era of productivity is ready to be unlocked, with society living longer and healthier lives.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • When the rain cleared, a rainbow arched above the New York skyline.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • The restaurant received a score of 68 and has since been re-inspected and cleared to open.
    Mary Ella Hastings July 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • Since his appointment to COO in 2018, the firm’s assets under management have roughly doubled, while its client base has expanded across new geographies.
    Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • Companies that made the largest AI investment expanded entry-level job hiring by 12%.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • The wedding festivities for Swift and Kelce began on Thursday, July 2, with guests seen arriving at MSG, the Knicks' home arena, for what is believed to be a rehearsal dinner.
    Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • Shortly thereafter, people began sharing stories of allegedly being scammed by Miller in a fantasy football league and scouting service.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Aerial video captured by ABC7 showed smoke rising from a smoldering truck as a long line of cars extended south of the incident.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • After a two-month grace period — which Wellcare extended to three — Medicare drug plans can drop customers who don't pay their premiums, no matter how small the amount.
    Susan Jaffe, NPR, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • On Thursday, the star and producer revealed that production has commenced on Fast Forever, which is set for a March 17, 2028 premiere, the 11th and final chapter in the $7 billion action franchise that launched with 2001’s The Fast and the Furious.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 July 2026
  • Carlson, whose rights Anaheim traded to Carolina four days before the free agent signing period commenced, joins a defense corps that includes Victor Hedman, who is one year younger and has played five more career regular season games.
    Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • While this was one of the most popular series of the late ‘90s/early aughts, each week’s storyline unfolded in a bloodbath of intense violence.
    Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 3 July 2026
  • His father, Brady Kiser, said that he was momentarily distracted when the incident unfolded and that Emilie was away at the time.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Aldo Álvarez started Mercatoria, another online delivery service, in 2021 with three other Cuban partners.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • In 1968, the federal government stepped in and started selling flood insurance managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.
    Brian New, CBS News, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Opened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opened. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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