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.

Once there, they endured a cruel sorting in the gymnasium of the Ingram Elementary School, which had been repurposed as a reunification center.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Terms have been shortened to 10 days, the Eastlands said, to give as many girls as possible a bit of Mystic this summer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

The central question is whether the Eastlands should have been prepared or if this was a natural disaster beyond all reckoning.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

The day had been chaotic because Hutchins’ union camera crew had walked off the set to protest the lack of nearby housing and previous alleged safety violations with the firearms on the set.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Maggie had been headed to her aunt and uncle’s house to use their outdoor cooking setup.

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