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.

Stankiewicz said that making back-to-back tournaments for the first time in 22 years is “a good stat,” but “this place has been built on national championships.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

Emergency crews have been spraying the tank with water to try to stabilise its temperature, following some rapid heat increases since Thursday.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

“We wanted to do what we hadn’t been able to do before,” said Ferrari Chairman John Elkann.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

Chelsea had been favourites to sign her as a free agent after contract renewal discussions broke down.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

I’ve been industriously ignoring her pushing fish and tossing fish guts all summer long.

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