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 and his neighbors, many of them from a downtown encampment, were told that visitors were not allowed.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

These claims were unsubstantiated as post-election polling shows that transgender policies are were often ranked low in priorities for surveyed voters.

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 thought you were here on a date with Dara,” I say, not sure how to say the rest.

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