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
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
The whisky opens with the scent of dark cherries, raisins, and Brazil-nut toffee, touched with marzipan and date caramel.
—
Emily Price, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Now, a grown-up Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) faces new and familiar frights after her equally goth daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), opens a portal to the Netherworld and reawakens everyone's favorite pinstriped ghost.
—Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Get Morning Squawk directly in your inbox CNBC's Morning Squawk recaps the biggest stories investors should know before the stock market opens, every weekday morning.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
There is one hint of the bloodbath to come, as the film opens in Osaka, where a yakuza boss insists that three of his men chop off a digit of their hands in order to prove their loyalty.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
The film opens the morning after Hedda’s party, thrown to celebrate Hedda and her husband George Tesman’s (Tom Bateman) entrance into society.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025
But something in Chocolat—the tale of a single mother, Vianne, who opens a chocolate shop in front of the church, on the first day of Lent, in a tiny, conservative French village, setting the villagers at loggerheads—had captured the public imagination.
—Joanne Harris
september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Richard Dreyfuss opens Stand by Me as a grown-up Gordie learning of his old best friend Chris’ death.
—Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Advertisement The movie opens circa 1997, with Johnson’s Kerr at the top of his game.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
Emily Price, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Now, a grown-up Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) faces new and familiar frights after her equally goth daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), opens a portal to the Netherworld and reawakens everyone's favorite pinstriped ghost.
—Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Get Morning Squawk directly in your inbox CNBC's Morning Squawk recaps the biggest stories investors should know before the stock market opens, every weekday morning.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
There is one hint of the bloodbath to come, as the film opens in Osaka, where a yakuza boss insists that three of his men chop off a digit of their hands in order to prove their loyalty.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
The film opens the morning after Hedda’s party, thrown to celebrate Hedda and her husband George Tesman’s (Tom Bateman) entrance into society.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025
But something in Chocolat—the tale of a single mother, Vianne, who opens a chocolate shop in front of the church, on the first day of Lent, in a tiny, conservative French village, setting the villagers at loggerheads—had captured the public imagination.
—Joanne Harris
september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Richard Dreyfuss opens Stand by Me as a grown-up Gordie learning of his old best friend Chris’ death.
—Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Advertisement The movie opens circa 1997, with Johnson’s Kerr at the top of his game.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opens
Verb
-
Other advanced features include Hohem’s companion Joy app, which unlocks one-tap panoramas, Hitchcock-style dolly-zooms and CloneMe templates.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Combining these together unlocks agile new ways of dealing with the enemy.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After checking their minds for influence from the Mule, Gaal clears them all — except Magnifico, of course.—
Rafael Motamayor,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
-
As Stromberg says, once the referee’s office clears a match for play, one of the USTA’s two announcers calls the players to the practice desk.—
Tim Newcomb,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Now, even if the AL and NL were to stay, realignment is going to have to happen anyway once MLB expands to 32 teams.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The film expands on the novel Stabat Mater by Tiziano Scarpa, which in turn is based on the real life of Vivaldi who was a Roman Catholic priest and taught at the Ospedale della Pietà for almost 30 years.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Think beyond consumer transactions, including supplier payments, gig payouts, and payroll, anywhere cash efficiency frees up capital.—
Christer Holloman,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The move frees up just over $1 million in cap space for the Patriots.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The practice week begins in earnest on Wednesday.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
When the sun begins to dip, head over to the Catalina Casino.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This pathway also extends to the investor's spouse and children under 21.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The value of the league's content extends beyond rights fees.—
Michael Ozanian,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There’s now just one last day of preseason games before the NFL commences its regular season.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Cade Klubnik is already getting high praise before the season even commences.—
Cecil Merkerson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Bagsmart Hanging Toiletry Bag This bag from Bagsmart unfolds into a hangable, easy-to-access travel organizer big enough to hold all of your makeup and toiletries.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The story unfolds in Agra during the 1990s, weaving together romantic elements with comedic beats and supernatural scares.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opens. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share