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.

Firefighters had to cut open the metal drop box to extinguish the fire, and numerous ballots inside were damaged, some charred beyond recognition.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

According to county officials, election staff were conducting a routine ballot collection when they found the damaged ballots.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

When asked what attracted him to Allen's email out of all the documentary pitches he received, Leigh said there was a genuine kindness to the group, who were all good storytellers.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

"My great-grandfather was a steelworker, my grandfather was a steelworker, and then basically all my uncles from the next generation down were in the steelworks as well."

From BBC • May 31, 2026

But there were a few moments, when we went into town, at powwow, or just around, when I noticed someone.

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