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.

He has been at the teaching job he resents and she has been frantically preparing for the dinner party she may not have told him about.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026

A British actor has been praised for "chasing down and rugby tackling" a handbag robber while he was in France for a film festival.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026

"It's just been one disappointment after another," the 69-year-old told AFP, having ventured with some 70 others to the nation's capitol to meet with congressional representatives.

From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026

Dean has been off Fox News since November.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026

I guess they’ve all been to places that are somehow locked in time.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold