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
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
The other two entrances, also blocked by craters and debris, had already been opened, and the roads to them, previously destroyed by bombing, had been repaved.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
In 2000, the castle was partially restored and opened to visitors.
—Arkansas Online, 31 May 2026
After eight months of looking at a dreary gray safety cover, our backyard pool opened last week.
—Brad Moon, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
That changed on a recent trip to Avantgarde Refined Caves of Cappadocia, which opened in late 2024, promising a new level of sophistication in a region where hospitality was previously associated mainly with cave kitsch.
—Anya Von Bremzen, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026
As the truck pulled away, two gunmen were revealed and opened fire on them.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 25 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
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
Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
The other two entrances, also blocked by craters and debris, had already been opened, and the roads to them, previously destroyed by bombing, had been repaved.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
In 2000, the castle was partially restored and opened to visitors.
—Arkansas Online, 31 May 2026
After eight months of looking at a dreary gray safety cover, our backyard pool opened last week.
—Brad Moon, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
That changed on a recent trip to Avantgarde Refined Caves of Cappadocia, which opened in late 2024, promising a new level of sophistication in a region where hospitality was previously associated mainly with cave kitsch.
—Anya Von Bremzen, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026
As the truck pulled away, two gunmen were revealed and opened fire on them.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 25 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opened
Verb
-
Her simple words of belief unlocked the emotional gates that blocked my sense of agency and confidence—key ingredients for success.—
Rey Ramsey,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
Faster simulations unlocked Scientists use facilities such as the European XFEL, near Hamburg, to study matter under extreme temperatures and pressures similar to those found inside stars and giant planets.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Harel cleared it on his first try while Woodson failed on his three attempts to ensure a second straight state title for Harel, who won with a height of 6-9 last year.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
Thabi Hlela of African Alabaster Botanical Skincare uses marula and shea butter in formulations that have cleared pimples and reversed early aging signs in customers who had tried pharmaceutical alternatives.—
Lisa Curtis,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
As technological access and capacity expanded, so too did use-cases.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
Under pressure, the government expanded access to the SIM cards to some professions during the shutdown.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Sochan began the year with the San Antonio Spurs, the franchise that selected him in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
One of the earliest programs for continuing education came from Harvard University, who began the Harvard Extension School in 1835 in what was then called the Lowell Institute.—
Bryan Penprase,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Georgia completely froze its gas tax in March for two months and has extended its freeze as the conflict with Iran continues.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
28 May 2026
-
Some players stand to make more money, or at least have their contract extended sooner, by earning certain honors during specific seasons.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Usyk tried to swarm once the action commenced.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
The LPs also commenced his empathetic association with bassist Bob Cranshaw, who appeared on Rollins’ albums for the next half-century.—
Chris Morris,
Variety,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
The incident unfolded shortly after noon when the vehicle pulled into Short Stop, a gas station and convenience store, located at 2002 Avenue I, KNOP reported.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
-
The organizing effort has unfolded alongside the rapid expansion of autonomous vehicle technology.—
Leah Willingham,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Oncologists are being flooded with requests as the special access program gets started.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
Yet, San Antonio should be well-prepared for the challenge, having beaten the reigning champion Thunder, which started this season 24-1 and swept its first two playoff opponents.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opened. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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