reopen

verb

re·​open (ˌ)rē-ˈō-pən How to pronounce reopen (audio)
-ˈō-pᵊm
reopened; reopening; reopens
Synonyms of reopennext

transitive verb

1
: to open again
2
a
: to take up again : resume
reopen discussion
b
: to resume discussion or consideration of
reopen a contract
3
: to begin again

intransitive verb

: to open again
school reopens in September

Synonyms of reopen

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Examples of reopen in a Sentence

The restaurant will reopen in April. I'm sorry, but the store is closed. We reopen at nine on Monday. The cut on his knee reopened when he tried to run. The company announced plans to reopen its Detroit factory. a procedure to reopen a clogged artery The district attorney reopened the murder case because new evidence was found. He wants the team to reopen his contract.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
China has tacitly accepted North Korea’s nuclear status, reopened its border with Pyongyang and continued to serve as its economic lifeline. — Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026 The New York Times reported in August that the Biden administration reopened the station in late 2024. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026 Our offices closed, including our New York headquarters, and would never fully reopen. — Lynn Godfrey, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Six Flags has not said which other coasters will get seat belts or when the closed rides might reopen. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reopen

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reopen was in 1605

Phrases Containing reopen

Rhymes for reopen

See All Rhymes for reopen

Browse Nearby Words

re-oil
reopen
reopen old wounds
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reopen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reopen. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

reopen

verb
re·​open (ˈ)rē-ˈō-pən How to pronounce reopen (audio)
-ˈōp-ᵊn
1
: to open again
2
: to take up again : resume
reopen the discussion

Legal Definition

reopen

transitive verb
re·​open ˌrē-ˈō-pən How to pronounce reopen (audio)
1
: to take up again
reopen discussion
2
: to resume the discussion or consideration of (a closed matter)
reopen the contract to negotiate benefits
3
: to try or hear (an action) anew especially for the purpose of hearing new evidence
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