Definitions

was

[wuhz, woz, wuhz] / wʌz, wɒz, wəz /

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.

Previous talks have stalled despite Trump saying a deal was imminent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

How patient will you all be with a player who was drafted immediately after Caitlin Clark and five spots in front of Angel Reese?

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

The prospect of the waterway reopening was enough to send Brent crude futures below $90 a barrel Friday, but investors remain wary.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

“Strangely, I was a fan before I was a fan of the show,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

She cropped her hair short like a man’s and was given a suit of white armor.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly