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.

Were you hoping to see a city that’s traveled?

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Were these sons and daughters all big fans of the opposite sex who dreamed of happily ever after?

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2026

Were they too complacent in assuming Crystal Palace would just give up on Marc Guehi?

From BBC • May 30, 2026

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 the ghosts in Daffodil Manor getting stronger because there were more people living there now?

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland