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.

Spelling was pregnant at the time of the incident, and her oldest two children were in the car.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

This included the circumstances in which refunds were available and the process for requesting them.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Actor Tori Spelling and seven children were injured after being involved in an accident Thursday in Temecula.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

It said all residents, or their representatives, were given a contract with clear terms and conditions before they moved in.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

In seventh grade, our mothers had decided we should be friends because they were.

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