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.

He noticed a large stack that sat untouched each day in the newsroom; most of his colleagues, he said, were simply too busy to dive in.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

This is a far cry from college sports in the 1970s and ’80s, when student athletes were expected to earn their degrees in four years.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

"If my cats were ever showing signs of distress, I wouldn't do it with them."

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

That includes people who were kicked out of their housing or disappeared from the system altogether.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

I was at Sandy June’s and sweet potato fries were coming my way.

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