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.

In terms of its electric utility service, the region has long been an outlier.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

I don’t try to force it, but I have been in a creative space so hopefully the creative gods pour into me sooner.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Shein has been looking for new revenue streams since President Trump’s tariffs began hurting its apparel sales in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

“It’s been in my mind since last year, and at the beginning of this year, I started — in earnest — putting something together,” Milgrom says.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Now that the seal has been broken, Maggie’s words start to tumble out.

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