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.

RAS mutations that drive tumor growth in 90% of pancreatic patients—as well as a large share of colon and non-small cell lung cancer cases—have long been considered “undruggable.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

The game, which had been physical all afternoon, turned chippy after that, giving the Kings a power play they took advantage to halve Colorado’s lead.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

There have also been signs of disagreements – it's unclear how strong – within Iran's military and political elite.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

Hopes had been raised last week that the war may soon end, and that the crucial Strait of Hormuz was reopening to shipping traffic.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 19, 2026

Yeah, after all the years of teasing about my imagination, I’d been saving that line for this very moment.

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