opens

present tense third-person singular of open
1
2
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

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 opens Episode three opens with Daemon and Caraxes, flanked by Ulf on Silverwing and Hugh on Vermithor, meeting Lord Ormund Hightower’s host in an open field. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026 On Sundays, Kenyon opens the gates of his homestead to kids from Cherbourg, and anyone else who wants to ride bulls. Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 His counterpressing has been a major aid to the way the team plays, and Balogun’s ability to run in behind the lines and cause havoc in the box opens space and makes things easier for the attacking players around him. Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Health officials declined to identify the facilities or to specify reasons, other than saying that the long-term care industry opens facilities and increases or decreases beds based on business factors. Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026 When a thief opens an account with your SSN, birthdate and address, canceling the account only fixes part of the problem. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 The nearly two-minute teaser opens by revisiting the skepticism that greeted Oasis’ improbable reunion announcement in 2024. Spin Staff, SPIN, 4 July 2026 The trailer opens with a montage of a glowing Lily (Lively) walking through Boston. Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 4 July 2026 Joe Manchin opens his memoir, Dead Center, with a meeting in the White House. Bryce Covert, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opens
Verb
  • But over the last couple of years, the team has invested heavily in the reasoning side because that’s what unlocks generality.
    John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Good wine recalls specific tasting notes; great wine unlocks entire memories.
    Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • The globe clears, but the motion has changed the environment.
    Sharon Daniels, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Once payment clears, SD Bullion will ship your order via USPS, UPS, or FedEx.
    Jamela Adam, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • The tax law also expands Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in shorter-term workforce training programs.
    Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • The temporary rule expands that list to 29 specific degree programs, including master of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, and doctor of nurse anesthesia practice.
    Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Few things help beat the heat more than a strapless neckline, which frees up your underarms from being trapped in a hot T-shirt.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026
  • The proclamation frees up additional state resources and personnel for response and recovery operations and can facilitate requests for state and federal disaster relief.
    Brenden Moore, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • The second moves to a restaurant for breakfast or lunch—and that’s where the real assessment begins.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • As attention begins to shift from rescue to reconstruction, the country’s engineering community is mobilizing to assess thousands of damaged structures.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • The root ball boundary or the outer edge of the soil-and-root mass typically extends from the main stem to just beyond the edge of the foliage.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
  • Of course, Oaxaca's appeal also extends beyond the plate, with colorful colonial architecture, bustling markets, centuries-old churches, and a flourishing art scene.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • As the offseason commences, the Sixers are comprised pretty much of their top four and spare parts.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 23 June 2026
  • For borrowers looking to purchase a home or refinance their current one in this climate, however, there are also some strategic moves worth considering now, before the Fed's June meeting even commences.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • But while this drama unfolds, the real winners of the World Cup so far are the prediction markets.
    Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • From there, the route to finding real Earth Art unfolds through Nevada and Utah, before dipping into Arizona.
    Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 3 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Opens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opens. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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