been

[bin, ben] / bɪn, bɛn /

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.

Iran’s response to the blockade has so far been muted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Some initiatives he previously championed, including the video-generation app Sora, have been rolled back.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, whose district includes North Hollywood, took to Instagram to say that the encampment has been a threat to the area’s residents for years.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Key to their form in Europe has been striker Ismaila Starr, who scored his seventh goal in the competition in Thursday's 2-1 loss.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

It’s been a long, hot day, and I know I smell just like the fish guts being picked at by the gulls.

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