Synonyms of opens

opens

verb

present tense third-person singular of open

1

as in unlocks

to change from a closed to an open position

please open the door to let the cat out

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unlocks
• unfurls
• unfolds
• uncloses
• unfastens
• unlatches
• unzips
• unbuttons
• disengages
• slips
• unbolts
• unclasps
• unbars
• unclenches
• releases

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closes
• shuts
• locks
• fastens
• bars
• latches
• buttons (up)
• clasps
• bolts
• zips (up)

2

as in clears

to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions

we need to open this drain that's clogged with hair

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clears
• frees
• facilitates
• smooths
• unplugs
• unclogs
• eases
• unstops
• loosens (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closes
• blocks
• stops
• plugs (up)
• clogs (up)
• hinders
• dams (up)
• impedes
• interferes (with)
• obstructs
• hampers
• constricts
• encumbers
• trammels
• barricades
• blockades

3

as in expands

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

• expands
• extends
• unfolds
• unfurls
• spreads (out)
• stretches (out)
• outstretches
• flares (out)
• fans (out)
• outspreads
• overspreads

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closes
• folds
• contracts
• reduces
• compresses
• condenses
• compacts

4

as in frees

to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way

snowplows opened the runway without much trouble

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clears
• frees
• unblocks
• facilitates
• smooths
• eases
• unplugs
• strips
• loosens (up)
• unclogs
• unstops
• unchokes
• unclutters

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blocks
• closes
• stops
• obstructs
• plugs
• clogs
• dams
• clutters (up)

5

as in begins

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

• begins
• commences
• starts
• launches
• creates
• falls (to)
• enters (into or upon)
• gets going
• initiates
• strikes (into)
• generates
• embarks (on or upon)
• gets off
• organizes
• originates
• sets about
• gets to
• leads off
• establishes
• adopts
• inaugurates
• kicks off
• invents
• founds
• embraces
• innovates
• spawns
• fathers
• institutes
• takes on
• takes up
• gets around (to)
• gets down (to)
• sets up
• gets round (to)
• pioneers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ends
• concludes
• terminates
• finishes
• closes
• stops
• ceases
• completes
• halts
• leaves
• quits
• discontinues
• abandons
• destroys
• lays off
• forsakes
• desists
• abolishes
• knocks off
• extinguishes
• demolishes
• exterminates
• phases out

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of opens

Saturday’s game opens a stretch of nine consecutive weeks of football for Kansas — no additional byes the rest of the way. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026

The show opens with a handful of personal objects tracing Pavarotti’s unlikely path from Belém, a port city on the edge of the Amazon, to Paris. — Alison S. Cohn, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Tesla opens new semi factory watch now Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news. — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

In case of what need not be spelled out when the series opens with a shocking tableau of gay bar owner Leo Struthers (Alan Cumming), the recipient of Melba’s speech, hanging by his neck from a streetlight outside his Manchester home. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

The label’s Clayface, about the Batman antagonist, is their first lower-budget genre movie, opens October 23. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026

Bidding opens online on October 21 to coincide with Trafalgar Day and runs through November 18. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Ryan’s participation in Thursday’s meeting came a day before Northwestern University opens its new, roughly $875 million football stadium in Evanston, largely funded by the Ryan family. — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

The finished walkout lower level opens to the pool with a sheltered area beneath the awning and a dedicated home gym. — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026