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.

In 2008, one of their sons, TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith, hosted a new version of her most famous show, called Wish You Were Here…?

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Were there any lessons that you took away from that in terms of future projects that might come along?

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

Were they part of a larger web of hominin species living across eastern Africa?

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

Once again, the details were supplied by random commenters, who were beginning to work themselves into a fever pitch: Were these clues?

From Salon • May 12, 2026

Were her mom and little sister, Hildi, okay?

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz