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.

Soccer has been pointing to for eight years.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

That opinion and prior ones have been challenged by conservation groups that want more protections and by industries that consider it too restrictive.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

Podcasting can be a great business if you’re good at it, but I’m not sure anyone has ever been this adept at milking shareholder value out of a pair of mics.

From Slate • Apr. 7, 2026

So far, the project has been largely self-funded through art sales and Mr. Wash’s book, “Artists in Space,” a series of interviews with artists.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Waiting for Boat Boy to ask me out has been torture.

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