been

[bin, ben] / bɪn, bɛn /

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.

Maybe “Hag” was knocking on my door, trying to manifest the fate I’d been so quick to refuse.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

There have been no official allegations of Ukrainian involvement in the pipeline incident so far.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

The Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, which organised the protest, said the seven had been arrested wearing clothing with the message: "We oppose genocide, we support Palestine Action."

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

West is slated to headline all three days of the festival, which had been marketed as “Pepsi Max Presents Wireless” in promotional materials.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Her walk had been pretty short, she thought.

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