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.

Referring to the Easter story of Christ's resurrection, three days after he was nailed to the cross, he said Jesus had been "entirely nonviolent" in the face of suffering.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Their upbringings may have been vastly different but the net result is not: they’re winners, as good as it gets at this.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

“It has just been the fact that we couldn’t see the threat evolving and what we’re facing. So we definitely have to improve on that.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Water supply issues in an area of Kent have been resolved after properties were left without water for three days following a burst pipe at a treatment works.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

The bowls had been filled with the smoothest tóshchíín Jason had ever seen.

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