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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of opens
Sierra Canyon is the highest seed in pool C and opens at home against Oaks Christian.
—
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
Adding to the accuracy of the show, the OnlyFans interface was graphically recreated to use on-screen, down to the chatboxes Margo opens when DMing creators, looking for tips on how to expand her fanbase.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 9 May 2026
Geopolitical tensions spilled over into the Venice Biennale contemporary art exhibition, which opens its most chaotic and contested edition in memory Saturday with no Golden Lions after the jury quit in protest of Israel’s and Russia’s participation and loud protests outside their pavilions.
—ABC News, 9 May 2026
Golden State opens its home schedule on Sunday against Phoenix.
—CBS News, 9 May 2026
For the first time, Burrell, 25, opens the season in the starting rotation and will be the only starter younger than 29.
—John Davis, Daily News, 9 May 2026
As for the San Diego Fringe, which opens Thursday, May 14 and runs through May 24, 60 productions featuring about 100 artists are scheduled.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Black Rabbit, White Rabbit, the latest from Iranian director Shahram Mokri (Careless Crime, Fish and Cat) opens May 8 at Laemmle Glendale.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 May 2026
At Vato, in Park Slope—which, blessedly, opens at seven in the morning—the tortillas are thin and rich, with chewy interiors and a flaky, blistered outside from the heat of the flattop.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
Adding to the accuracy of the show, the OnlyFans interface was graphically recreated to use on-screen, down to the chatboxes Margo opens when DMing creators, looking for tips on how to expand her fanbase.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 9 May 2026
Geopolitical tensions spilled over into the Venice Biennale contemporary art exhibition, which opens its most chaotic and contested edition in memory Saturday with no Golden Lions after the jury quit in protest of Israel’s and Russia’s participation and loud protests outside their pavilions.
—ABC News, 9 May 2026
Golden State opens its home schedule on Sunday against Phoenix.
—CBS News, 9 May 2026
For the first time, Burrell, 25, opens the season in the starting rotation and will be the only starter younger than 29.
—John Davis, Daily News, 9 May 2026
As for the San Diego Fringe, which opens Thursday, May 14 and runs through May 24, 60 productions featuring about 100 artists are scheduled.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Black Rabbit, White Rabbit, the latest from Iranian director Shahram Mokri (Careless Crime, Fish and Cat) opens May 8 at Laemmle Glendale.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 May 2026
At Vato, in Park Slope—which, blessedly, opens at seven in the morning—the tortillas are thin and rich, with chewy interiors and a flaky, blistered outside from the heat of the flattop.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opens
Verb
-
Something was just holding them back, and the medication unlocks this realization.—
Allison Forsyth,
Health,
14 May 2026
-
However, an optional cellular plan unlocks premium features like real-time tracking, escape alerts, activity tracking and custom voice commands.—
Rachel Cortez,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Once the front clears the area Saturday night, a much cooler air mass will settle in for the second half of the weekend.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
That clears the path for mass deportations and sending Navy gunboats into the Channel to turn back small boats.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The move aims to improve traceability and accountability as China’s humanoid robotics industry rapidly expands.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
-
Yes—putting metaphorical pen to page is fundamental, but so, too, is nurturing that which expands my literary capacity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
This frees the programmer from having to manually track and release unused memory.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
-
His comfort in deeper areas, in turn, frees up Casemiro and Fernandes to operate in more advanced areas ahead of him.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What begins as self-expression could become real opportunity.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
Now, the Clippers’ work begins with the clarity of a valuable short-term asset rather than a long-term asset.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
And that litigative trail extends to Davis, who is currently navigating personal bankruptcy tied to the fallout over his previous venture, BeautyKind.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
12 May 2026
-
The headline pitch for these accounts is that they’ll be seeded with a one-time $1,000 government contribution for children born from 2025 through 2028, unless Congress extends the government donation.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
There are still a couple of questions to be answered though even as construction commences on the 67,500-capacity facility, which will be next to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of downtown Cleveland.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
Falling back to the pack and seven points shy of San Jose, which won 4-1 at BMO Stadium on Sunday, LAFC has seen its recent MLS stumbles coincide with advancing to a two-leg CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal, which commences Wednesday at BMO Stadium and ends May 6 in Toluca, Mexico.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Like the movie, the series begins as a deeply human story grounded in relationships that gradually unfolds into a large-scale, epic adventure.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
14 May 2026
-
Not every summer movie needs to be a mystery that unfolds hallway after hallway, with a creature hiding around every corner ready to pop out.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opens. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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