Definitions

was

[wuhz, woz, wuhz] / wʌz, wɒz, wəz /

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.

Appeared in the June 8, 2026, print edition as 'How the WSJ’s Best Companies for The Future Ranking Was Created'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Was expecting Verstappen-like things down into Turn One but sadly, it wasn't meant to be with Red Bull's engine issues.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

"Was grandpa a Nazi?" asked the headlines on news stories across Germany.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Was there someone you were looking to, to help you understand it?

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

Was this what was to become of me?

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff