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
September 23 – October 22 Seeing things differently today opens new possibilities for you.
—
Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Libra September 23 – October 22 Seeing things differently today opens new possibilities for you.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Sometimes a person opens the top of their skull to reach inside; in her painting Threading the Story Through the Eye of a Needle (circa 1974), a hand pulls a line of thread through a pupil, towing two tiny people in a boat, suggesting both sight and an idea made manifest.
—Nicole Rudick, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
Depending on the season (the camp opens from May through December, when temperatures are pleasant), days fill with picnics in the mountains, visits to Buddhist festivals, or merit-making ceremonies at nearby temples and shrines.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
Frankie and the Witch Fingers opens the show.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
The film opens in theaters starting May 8 from 1-2 Special.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Apr. 2026
The piece opens with Bambaataa, then twenty-four years old.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
The apps and websites can only be accessed again once the user opens the Brick app and taps the phone back on the little grey box.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Libra September 23 – October 22 Seeing things differently today opens new possibilities for you.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Sometimes a person opens the top of their skull to reach inside; in her painting Threading the Story Through the Eye of a Needle (circa 1974), a hand pulls a line of thread through a pupil, towing two tiny people in a boat, suggesting both sight and an idea made manifest.
—Nicole Rudick, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
Depending on the season (the camp opens from May through December, when temperatures are pleasant), days fill with picnics in the mountains, visits to Buddhist festivals, or merit-making ceremonies at nearby temples and shrines.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
Frankie and the Witch Fingers opens the show.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
The film opens in theaters starting May 8 from 1-2 Special.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Apr. 2026
The piece opens with Bambaataa, then twenty-four years old.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
The apps and websites can only be accessed again once the user opens the Brick app and taps the phone back on the little grey box.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 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
-
Start with one smart career adjustment that creates space and clears the path forward.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
While the probe ending today likely clears the path for Warsh's candidacy to make it out of committee, Tillis has not made an official statement since the inquiry was dropped.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The deal also expands surveillance capabilities through drones, helicopters and electronic monitoring to better prevent crossing attempts.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Apr. 2026
-
These rubbery, firm nodules are called keloids, which are poorly understood skin growths that result from wound healing that goes awry and expands beyond the borders of the original wound.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 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 1 May. 2026.
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