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
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
Policy shift opens unexpected door In January 2026, the administration changed its policy for R‑1 visa holders.
—Ken Molestina, CBS News, 2 May 2026
This will begin to change in 2027 when the Mandarin Oriental opens private villas near the port—an extension of a larger property being built next to Takamatsu’s ferry terminal.
—Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026
The video opens with Rock touching down at an airport on a private jet.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 May 2026
That will be in the other Eastern Conference semifinal series, which opens Tuesday.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Street Grandma opens in the Arts District Playful, feminine, masculine, oversize shirts and pants.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
La Vecina, an outdoor-only eatery serving a fusion of Latino cuisines, opens soon in Plaza Midwood.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
The film opens in theaters starting May 8 from 1-2 Special.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Apr. 2026
Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
Policy shift opens unexpected door In January 2026, the administration changed its policy for R‑1 visa holders.
—Ken Molestina, CBS News, 2 May 2026
This will begin to change in 2027 when the Mandarin Oriental opens private villas near the port—an extension of a larger property being built next to Takamatsu’s ferry terminal.
—Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026
The video opens with Rock touching down at an airport on a private jet.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 May 2026
That will be in the other Eastern Conference semifinal series, which opens Tuesday.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Street Grandma opens in the Arts District Playful, feminine, masculine, oversize shirts and pants.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
La Vecina, an outdoor-only eatery serving a fusion of Latino cuisines, opens soon in Plaza Midwood.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
The film opens in theaters starting May 8 from 1-2 Special.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opens
Verb
-
This defense is good enough to carry the Broncos to the AFC Championship, but Nix is the key that unlocks that final door, that trip to the Super Bowl.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Jevons paradox works when a cheaper input unlocks new demand that didn’t previously exist.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the longer term, the ruling clears the way for a drastic reshaping of the nation’s political geography, at least by the time of the next presidential election year in 2028.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Growth hormone also plays a role in how the brain clears metabolic waste overnight, a process tied to long-term neurological health.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Here, the traditional expectations of a five-star stay are softened into something more personal—where time expands, space breathes, and every detail is designed to feel intuitive rather than imposed.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
-
On top of bringing hundreds of new jobs to the Marion County community, Equestrian Manor expands the options for events — with spaces available for weddings, meetings and other gatherings.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
As with the separation of Qnity from DuPont , spinning off a strong asset frees it to trade as a pure-play, drawing in new investors and often resulting in a higher valuation.—
,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Eliminating the cab opens up 360-degree sensor coverage across cameras, LiDAR, and radar, and frees payload capacity.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By Thursday through Saturday, highs are expected to reach near 90 degrees, marking a return to more summer-like conditions just as May begins.—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Unfortunately for her, Steve’s more than ready for the attack, and what begins as a perfect friendship, devolves into an all-out feud.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Israeli government and military have said forces will remain in a buffer zone that spans the countries' border and extends at least six miles into Lebanese territory, and that residents will not be allowed to return home, until the Hezbollah threat is removed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The decision also extends to OPEC+, a larger group that consists of other oil producers such as Russia.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The new pact commences on January 2027 after Butterworth’s current deal with Paramount wraps up at the end of the year.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The race unfolds as the district confronts a superintendent under FBI investigation, declining enrollment, a potential strike and ongoing academic recovery from the pandemic.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Streep’s second go-round, by contrast, unfolds as a series of micro-indignities—a plunge from her Olympian perch, one stumble at a time.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opens. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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