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 Song opened with a walk, stole second and scored when Tatis' grounder up the middle ricocheted off second base into shallow right field for an RBI single. CBS News, 7 June 2026 The group alleged Saturday that one of its members was killed when police opened fire. ABC News, 7 June 2026 The move opened a roster spot for Schanuel. Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 7 June 2026 At least 12 people were shot when gunmen, possibly aiming for one another, opened fire near a summer festival in Toledo, Ohio, officials said. Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 7 June 2026 The museum, now a Smithsonian affiliate, opened in 1976. Greg Allen, ARTnews.com, 7 June 2026 The show opened on Broadway in 1994, with Jere Shea as Giorgio and Donna Murphy as Fosca. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 June 2026 Masters, which has a Metacritic score of 54 and a B Cinema Score, opened in 3,677 screens with an audience that skewed heavily male (66 percent to 34 percent female). Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opened
Verb
  • As daylight fades, the true magic of a pristine entryway is unlocked through professional architectural lighting.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
  • For College Football 27, MVP+ bundles seven-day early access on July 2, a monthly Ultimate Team pack for a year, every mascot unlocked, 150 Dynasty Coach Points, an exclusive Dynasty Skill Tree and 500 Road to Glory Skill Points.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • Crocker-Johnson has been cleared for full-go practices this summer, Medved said last month.
    Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
  • The Supreme Court decision cleared the way for officials to justify redistricting based on partisan ambitions.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • On Tuesday, Anthropic expanded the effort to include 150 organizations in more than 15 countries.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 June 2026
  • The word also figured heavily in the Alien and Sedition Acts, a set of four 18th century laws that restricted citizenship, expanded the president’s authority to detain and deport foreigners, and criminalized dissenting speech.
    Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • The next morning, my feet began to itch like mad.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • There were plenty of compelling story lines taking shape as the sun began to dip on the legendary course.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • London’s Christian Olivares, a USC pledge, extended the lead in the third inning, hitting a two-run home run to left field.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 June 2026
  • Some passholders have extended vender floor hours.
    John Tufts, IndyStar, 5 June 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
  • In a video call announcing the event early Tuesday, White explained how the conversation unfolded.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
  • The incident had unfolded relatively close to his city.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Robinson started this past Saturday, when the team fell 2-1 in a physical, testy battle against Germany in its final send-off match before the Americans’ first group-stage game.
    Jim Sciutto, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
  • When the tournament started, the focus was on Korda’s feet.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Opened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opened. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

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