was

[wuhz, woz, wuhz] / wʌz, wɒz, wəz /

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.

As a result, the entire summer festival was scrapped and ticket holders were issued refunds.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Last year, he slashed the budget at numerous science agencies, including NASA, which shifted the agency’s priorities around Artemis, and killed the planned lunar Gateway space station that was supposed to orbit the moon.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

A Meta spokesperson told the BBC the breach was discovered over a year ago, after which the firm said it immediately fired the suspected employee and "referred the matter to law enforcement".

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

“One Shining Moment” is another man’s darkness, and so it was that after Michigan’s 69-63 title victory over UConn Monday night, Mara unwittingly milked his co-starring role in the tournament’s annual music video compilation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

In another she was surrounded by her aunties.

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