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.

The Journal also found that 25 minutes of recordings were erased from nine calls made between Boyd and Strickland after the shooting.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The police bodycams were turned back on as Spivey’s truck was towed away.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Earlier in the afternoon, the final two major prep races for the Kentucky Derby were held at Keeneland and Aqueduct, with each likely producing a pair of starters.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

The trademark right hand still carried threat, but the explosiveness, timing and confidence that once made him so dangerous were not as prevalent.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

To us, it felt like we were champions of the world.

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