Definitions

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.

Was Married at First Sight UK an accident waiting to happen?

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Was this a freak occurrence, or a sign of things to come?

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

Performed in rotation with “New Born” is Tom Noonan’s “What Happened Was . . . ,” a 1992 two-hander, also directed by Mr. Rickson, about a nervous date night.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Was this an error on the part of whoever manages Dylan’s social media?

From Salon • May 12, 2026

Was I supposed to say that was a good thing or bad?

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