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.

“They were bombing serves in that third set and got up on us, but we stuck with it and closed it strong. We didn’t want to give them any momentum.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026

To prevent total loss, seeds were collected from the strongest surviving population and cultivated at Kew, establishing a secure seed stock for future restoration without further pressure on wild plants.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

“This time we were ready to play and came out hot.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026

Last year he granted her a symbolic pardon, as the US president has no power to forgive crimes that were prosecuted in state courts.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

There were always people from the rez there—every rez—but some of us needed it even more.

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