been

[bin, ben] / bɪn, bɛn /

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.

The cam has followed Jackie and Shadow, who have been mating since 2018, and made the birds worldwide celebrities and regular fixtures of morning TV shows.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Similar compliments have been showered on “Ted Lasso,” “Shrinking” and “Scrubs,” each of which expounds its own version of believing.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

The other has been treated for serious injuries and has been discharged, police confirmed.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Swan had been working on the problem for decades, much earlier than Edison, as had other scientists—and they had already created functioning electric lamps, albeit not very effective or reliable ones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

“I’ll eat. I promise. Everyone’s grief takes a different form. Mine is kicking me to the ground. It’s been rough. How are you holding up?”

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