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.

If additional scholarships were offered during her tenure, Vargas said she believed it would’ve attracted more students like herself to the program.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Reporters had done what they were trained to do — show the public what was happening.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

The outfit had been touring in the US since February and were due to play their last stateside show on Friday.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Stocks were set for modest early gains following a report from Axios that suggests Iran is working through mediators, including Pakistan, to negotiate a 45-day cease-fire.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

“You’ve been tearing down that road, hardly looking back. You know you’ve hurt us. Hurt me. Abandoned me. And it always seemed like you were fine with it.”

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