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.

“It does appear to me that the focus of the autopsy is more tactical than it is substantive in terms of what voters were talking about, and what voters wanted,” Gavito said.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

Norfolk Police said the men - six aged 20 and one aged 21 - were all Afghan nationals and were arrested on Wednesday following raids on six addresses in Norwich and one in Dumbarton, Scotland.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Reading Mr. Perl-Rosenthal makes one long for a time when nationalist platitudes and uncritical patriotism were suspect—and when the Fourth of July was both a celebration and a challenge.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

In comments under the second post, one person said they were struggling to see the difference between the conference and written remarks.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Maybe if I were rude, he would realize it was a bad date.

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