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.

Were these gifts being bought in the run-up to Christmas?

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Were there any things that occurred during the rehearsal process that genuinely surprised you?

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

Were humans actually surviving in colder glacial conditions, or had scientists misunderstood what the climate in Britain was really like at the time?

From Science Daily • May 13, 2026

Once again, the details were supplied by random commenters, who were beginning to work themselves into a fever pitch: Were these clues?

From Salon • May 12, 2026

Were they pledging their undying loyalty to me?

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth