unclose

Bad dreams, and sad as bad, harass and perplex her, until she is thankful when her lids unclose and she feels at least she is free of the horrors that threatened her a moment since.

From Faith and Unfaith by Duchess

Then, a boy, did I first gaze enraptured on your infantile beauty; then did my heart unclose to the lovely vision which it has since treasured through years and absence, joy and sorrow.

From Godey's Lady's Book, Vol. XLII., May 1851 by Various

Surely in two years he might unclose his lips; for he would work—it would be no wearisome task.

From Mitchelhurst Place, Vol. I (of 2) A Novel by Margaret Veley

Charmides clenched his hand, but did not unclose his eyes.

From Istar of Babylon A Phantasy by Margaret Horton Potter

"If it is now safe to unclose the companion-way, I will convey my niece to the cabin for a change of wardrobe."

From Captain Kyd, Vol. II or, The Wizard of the Sea by Jonathon Holt Ingraham

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

In other words: Once again on “Succession,” a big deal remains unclosed.

From New York Times ● May 14, 2023

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

He passed up the gallery very softly, unclosed the staircase door with as little noise as possible, shut it after him, and the last ray vanished.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

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

But the first smile from her unclosing eyes had already done damage enough; the blush merely disorganized a little more what was already chaos in a young man's mind.

From Blue-Bird Weather by Charles Dana Gibson

Two fair young forms, with arms interlaced, and heads inclined towards each other, the one with locks of rippling gold, the other of soft, wavy brown, seemed watching angels to her unclosing eyes.

From Helen and Arthur or, Miss Thusa's Spinning Wheel by Caroline Lee Hentz

Then, unclosing her eyes she looked at him, delicate lips tightening.

From The Streets of Ascalon Episodes in the Unfinished Career of Richard Quarren, Esqre. by Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers

The unclosing of the door is promised to them that ask.

From The Well in the Desert An Old Legend of the House of Arundel by M. (Madelaine) Irwin