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.

Around a million people fled that area during the conflict and have been living in poor conditions in makeshift camps in Tigray.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

He had been part of the BBC Sport commentary team for the match between Wigan and Hull KR at Wembley Stadium.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Many affected have been redeployed or agreed to voluntary redundancy.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

In fact, the whole northern region of Tigray, which has been trying to recover from a brutal civil war that ended in 2022, has been totally excluded from the poll.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

I’d thought he might kiss me, but it had been only a few days since we’d found out my mom and I were moving.

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