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 San Diego opened a 2-0 lead when Miguel Andújar scored on Xander Bogaerts' double in the fourth. CBS News, 30 June 2026 It can be poured as an apéritif, opened with takeout or brought to the table alongside a simple piece of fish. Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Gwinnett was an English clergymen’s son who sailed for the colonies in 1762 and opened a general store in Savannah in 1765. Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026 The city and county opened two smoke respite shelters in the immediate area so that people could breath cleaner air. Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 On Friday, the doors opened with just a few stranglers on hand. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 The first library in the state, stocked with books brought from England, was the Smith Library in Salisbury that opened in 1771 and morphed into the Scoville Memorial Library which still lends books today. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026 In the early 1990s, Manchester United opened its megastore at Old Trafford, selling replica jerseys and other logoed gear. Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 Minions & Monsters opened this weekend across 50 screens, to $239K, well above Toy Story 5. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 June 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
  • Under his leadership, SMUD expanded workforce training programs, and joined the state’s Energy Imbalance Market, a wholesale energy-trading market that allows SMUD to buy low-cost renewable energy in real time, and sell excess energy to generate additional revenue.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026
  • According to the agency, the Dodd-Frank Act, a 2010 law passed in the wake of the housing crash to tighten financial oversight, expanded its authority by giving it control over swaps, a type of derivative contract.
    Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 24 June 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
  • The government has extended school closures, and preliminary information suggests that 432 schools in Caracas alone have been damaged.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • Gonzalez extended the lead with a two-run single in the ninth.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Before the Oranje Fanwalk commenced Thursday, the Netherlands packed the Power & Light for food and some beverages.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026
  • In preparation for the aircraft’s arrival next year, Qantas pilots have commenced training on Australia’s first A350 simulator in Sydney and with British Airways in the UK.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 18 June 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 5 Jul. 2026.

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