Definitions

were

[wur, wer, wair] / wɜr, wər, wɛər /

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.

Fleming and Insead professor of strategy Jasjit Singh analyzed millions of patent filings in a 2010 study to determine whether teams or individuals were responsible for the most successful inventions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The department said in its statement that a supervisor was called to the scene, Cowser’s injuries were photographed, and she was taken to a local hospital for a medical evaluation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

In a way, maybe they were destined to reconnect.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has convened an emergency meeting of the National Defence Council after explosives were found near a pipeline that transports Russian gas to Hungary.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

“Why were you off with him”—I gesture at the singer—“when you came here with Ell?”

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