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.

Hopes had been raised last week that the war may soon end, and that the crucial Strait of Hormuz was reopening to shipping traffic.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 19, 2026

The former defense minister, a Putin ally, has been tapped to run agriculture.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

There have been several standout performers for Bayern this season, but none more so than the number nine.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

Disgorgement, by contrast, has historically been an “equitable” cleanup tool in cases decided by a judge with looser constraints.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

At fifteen, I would have been sort of eligible to play, though no one really enforced the rules.

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