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
As the truck pulled away, two gunmen were revealed and opened fire on them.
—
Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into the owner of a malfunctioning chemical storage tank in Garden Grove that has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents as fire crews race to avoid an explosion.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 24 May 2026
Steven Kwan opened the scoring for the Guardians with an RBI single in the fifth, and Bazzana hit a solo shot in the eighth, his third of the season, as Cleveland won for the eighth time in nine games.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, arranged by Kazunori Miyake and conducted by Hirofumi Kurita, opened the night.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 24 May 2026
Deedson opened the scoring for Haiti in the ninth minute with a spectacular solo effort and Ruben Providence doubled the lead late in the first half.
—Michelle Kaufman
may 24, Miami Herald, 24 May 2026
Policy changes opened global markets.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
The Royals opened the homestand with four consecutive losses.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
The latest private-members country club to have opened in Oxfordshire, wrapped in a Jacobethan hall with parkland, is a humdinger with an instant cachet.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into the owner of a malfunctioning chemical storage tank in Garden Grove that has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents as fire crews race to avoid an explosion.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 24 May 2026
Steven Kwan opened the scoring for the Guardians with an RBI single in the fifth, and Bazzana hit a solo shot in the eighth, his third of the season, as Cleveland won for the eighth time in nine games.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, arranged by Kazunori Miyake and conducted by Hirofumi Kurita, opened the night.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 24 May 2026
Deedson opened the scoring for Haiti in the ninth minute with a spectacular solo effort and Ruben Providence doubled the lead late in the first half.
—Michelle Kaufman
may 24, Miami Herald, 24 May 2026
Policy changes opened global markets.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
The Royals opened the homestand with four consecutive losses.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
The latest private-members country club to have opened in Oxfordshire, wrapped in a Jacobethan hall with parkland, is a humdinger with an instant cachet.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opened
Verb
-
This way, researchers unlocked a simple chemical reaction.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 May 2026
-
This called for creating new mechanisms for trust and authentication such as tokenized card credentials, biometric confirmation, and tap-to-pay protocols that unlocked entirely new commerce behaviors.—
Anjana Susarla,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Crean Lutheran’s Noah Richardson cleared 15-6 to win the pole vault while Redondo Union’s Bo Ausmus won the discus with a throw of 185-7 and the shot put with a mark of 61-9.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
Once Joyce is cleared to throw again, the question will be how far back he is set in his rehab.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The tweaks to Smugglers Run follow big changes to Galaxy’s Edge, as Disney recently expanded the land’s timeline to feature classic, fan-favorite characters such as Darth Vader, Han, Luke and Leia.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
-
In his Texas speech, Thomas expanded on that idea.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
The fire authority’s hazardous materials response team began dousing the tanks at a Garden Grove facility Thursday, prompting an initial evacuation order that was lifted later that day.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
In addition to Jake finding a home at the fire station, the FWFD's HOPE Team began searching for Tom and eventually located him in a homeless camp, per WAFB 9.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The disparities also extended to preventable deaths before age 75, including deaths tied to drug overdoses, car crashes and treatable illnesses.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
-
While it’s suggested early on that Phil has a temper on the ice, flashbacks show viewers that his anger and violence extended to his family as well.—
Katie Mannion,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Amazon's initial order encompassed 100,000 vans, and Rivian has also commenced commercial van sales to outside fleet operators.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
Anika Reed The Beyoncé Gala has finally commenced.—
Swasti Singhai,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The exercise unfolded as Putin on Tuesday is starting a two-day visit to China.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
The women interviewed by the Herald watched as the news unfolded.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Mike Trout started the Angels’ scoring in the third with a two-out single to score Sebastián Rivero from second and tie the score at one.—
Joaquin Ruiz,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
-
Then, a man joined us on a break and started talking … and talking and talking.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opened. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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