Definitions

were

[wur, wer, wair] / wɜr, wər, wɛər /

VERB

exist

Synonyms

STRONG

abide act breathe continue do endure hold inhabit last live move obtain persist prevail remain rest stand stay subsist survive

WEAK

be alive go on have being have place

Antonyms

STRONG

cease depart die discontinue forsake give up go halt idle leave lose pass quit refuse reject stop

VERB

happen

Synonyms

STRONG

befall occur transpire

WEAK

come about come to pass take place

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Refunds are 11% higher than they were a year ago, averaging $3,462.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

Its fonts, a mix of cursive and midcentury typeface, were inspired by his business card.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

She said they were supposed to go to a political event and they went to get paperwork from his hotel room.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

In a US interview, Robinson's parents said her death in Tanzania "doesn't make any sense" and were seeking answers.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Maggie was in her uncle’s old blue two-tone F-150, and the truck could handle the rough dirt road, not that the bison were giving her much choice.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith