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.

Barshay has been working to shore up the firm’s talent base by traveling to Paul Weiss offices around the country.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Already since taking over, some of Barshay’s early changes have been divisive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

The local government's aim is to cut that population by half, and 24,000 animals have been culled so far this year.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

A lower-risk zone with a 20km radius has also been delimited.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

We’ve been Jilly Bean and Jessa Jean, and now we are Jillian and J. J. Maybe someday we’ll be college roommates, or bride and bridesmaid, or auntie to each other’s kids.

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