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.

“We are getting it in Intel today, and we were getting it for Micron a year ago,” he said, adding that ValueWorks has been trimming its holdings in Micron.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

“We were forced to protest because prices for everything are going up, while our wage is mostly stagnant,” said Kumar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

In contrast, the later burials were more selective and largely centered around a single male lineage.

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2026

My parents both died when they were 76, five years apart.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

When we were in need, the ancestors called us here.

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