unclose

Now and then a shuddering tremor would run through one of the bodies, and lips would move, and glazed eyes half unclose.

From The Fire Trumpet A Romance of the Cape Frontier by Bertram Mitford

Not one did I actually see unclose, yet, all of a sudden, they were awake, the fields once more a blaze of gold.

From Atlantic Narratives Modern Short Stories by Elizabeth Ashe

The sound was so startling that the greyhound leaped to his feet and set up an answering howl, which almost froze Katie with fright, and caused even Mrs. Gerome’s heavy eyelids to unclose.

From Vashti or, Until Death Us Do Part by Augusta J. Evans Wilson

There are occasions, however, when the most reserved natures are tempted to unclose, and of these the opening of the New Year is surely the most seductive.

From What a Man Wills by Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey

Before mine eyes, already dim, Doth heaven unclose the gate; I hear the choiring seraphim Around the throne that wait.

From The Standard Cantatas Their Stories, Their Music, and Their Composers by George P. (George Putnam) Upton

The gap in attainment between pupils from more and less affluent backgrounds also remains stubbornly unclosed, almost a decade on from it being made the government's "number one priority".

From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2025

There’s a heart, too, and a jaw, and a semi-skeleton infant with an unclosed fontanel.

From New York Times ● Oct. 8, 2021

Oscar De La Hoya began by speaking in metaphors, describing a series of unclosed doors and visits to hell.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2021

In many of the unclosed cases, the investigations are in their early stages.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 29, 2018

Legolas already lay motionless, his fair hands folded upon his breast, his eyes unclosed, blending living night and deep dream, as is the way with Elves.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

When you sing, your entire vocal cord vibrates, with the elastic, fatty tissue of the vocal folds closing and unclosing with each vibration, which produce a sustained note.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 1, 2011

Ewing thrilled with a sudden alertness, his purpose growing in his eyes, his hands tensely closing and unclosing.

From Ewing\'s Lady by Harry Leon Wilson

The great door of the hall, silently, without apparent reason, swings wide open, like a great curious eye unclosing to watch this beautiful marvel of their love, expanded so suddenly, like a huge aloe-flower.

From The Wagnerian Romances by Gertrude Hall Brownell

"I will wait a little longer!" she said, unclosing her eyes, and rising and going to the lattice.

From Captain Kyd (Vol 1 of 2) or, The Wizard of the Sea by Jonathon Holt Ingraham

“No,” moaned Millet, unclosing his eyes, and speaking in a hoarse whisper—“my old friend—an accident—sir—an accident.”

From A Double Knot by George Manville Fenn