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.

He was a positive influence in the Lakers’ locker room, especially for center Deandre Ayton.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

“It was the catalyst for us realizing we were serious.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

“There was a lot of anger in the book that had not been resolved.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

Before Huang could finish the book, the life he was writing about had to fall apart.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

When Lulu’s brother, Guillermo “Willy” Reyes, was captured by the Japanese, she vowed to find him.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly