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Showing results for "could"
  • past tense form of can.
  • past participle of can.
Definitions

could

[kood, kuhd] / kʊd, kəd /
VERB
preserve fruit, vegetable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
keep
STRONG
bottle
WEAK
put up
Antonyms
WEAK
cannot employ hire
VERB
be able
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commit manage take care of
STRONG
may
WEAK
be capable of be equal to be up to be within one's area be within one's control can do could cut the mustard have it made lie in one's power make it make out make the grade
Antonyms
WEAK
cannot employ hire
VERB
fire from job
Synonyms
STRONG
ax boot bounce cashier discharge dismiss expel sack terminate
WEAK
give the heave ho kick out let go
Antonyms
STRONG
allow employ engage hire hold keep permit welcome
WEAK
cannot

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.

See Examples For:

Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said before tipoff she wanted her team to get off to a better start, but the team could not deliver Thursday and extended its losing streak to six games.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

She worries that re-labelling some autistic people could lead to them losing support.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

Pant's trial, scheduled to begin on December 15, could become a key test as European nations step up action against Russia's shadow fleet.

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

The NAS is worried that breaking autism into smaller groups could lead to discrimination or the removal of support from people who need it.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

She looks to be in her late seventies, but could easily be older.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

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