Definitions

were

[wur, wer, wair] / wɜr, wər, wɛər /

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.

They were 15-2 in March with 13 wins in their last 14 games.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Other doors were sealed, it added, "to prevent excessive permeability of the historic building's spaces - structures dating back to the 1500s - considering their changed functions and the evolving international context".

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Traders were pricing in a 77.6% chance that the Fed will remain on hold in December, up from 76.3% on Thursday, while also seeing a small but increased probability of a rate hike by year-end.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

It wasn’t an easy ask, but patients had been avoiding so many things for so long that their worlds had gotten smaller and many were willing to try something, even if it felt drastic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Before long she had twenty plate-sized pieces for the party, while steadily keeping up with the orders that were pouring in.

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