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.

About 20 workers were inside the building at South Hellman Avenue and Merrill Avenue when the fire was reported about 12:30 a.m.,

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

I once ordered it at a chain restaurant that shall remain diplomatically unnamed, only to discover that it was functionally identical to the toddler’s mac and cheese at our table.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

It was, in effect, a declaration that relearning the same lessons every three years had to stop.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

The fire was still burning as of 6:30 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

In another she was surrounded by her aunties.

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