Synonyms of be

be 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈbē 

1

as in to live

to have life

stories that begin with the familiar line "once upon a time there was a beautiful maiden"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• live
• exist
• rule
• continue
• breathe
• survive
• keep (on)
• subsist
• flourish
• persist
• last
• lead
• endure
• kick
• hold on
• run on
• abide
• move
• thrive
• hold up
• prosper

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• die
• disappear
• depart
• perish
• expire
• pass away
• stop
• succumb
• vanish
• cease
• evaporate
• end
• quit
• die (down)
• discontinue
• moderate
• subside
• abate
• desist
• wane
• let up
• ebb

2

as in to stand

to occupy a place or location

we'll be there waiting for you

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stand
• lie
• sit
• remain
• reside
• stay
• bear
• wait
• rest
• overlook
• station
• hang around
• await
• stick around
• command
• dwell
• post
• tarry

3

as in to rank

to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes

our school's football team is first in its division

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rank
• place
• stand
• rate
• grade
• sort
• class
• count
• classify
• group
• set
• seed
• categorize
• separate
• install
• codify
• compartmentalize
• instate

4

as in to happen

to take place

the party is next Saturday

Synonyms & Similar Words

• happen
• come
• occur
• do
• come about
• come down
• cook
• come to pass
• come off
• pass
• befall
• chance
• transpire
• go down
• go on
• hap
• rise
• develop
• come up
• arise
• betide
• proceed
• result
• shape (up)
• materialize
• intervene
• fall out
• turn out
• crop (up)
• follow
• break
• spring (up)
• go off

be (to)

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to treat

to behave toward in a stated way

you need to be nice to your brother

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treat
• serve
• act (toward)
• handle
• deal (with)
• use
• respond (to)
• do by
• react (to)
• engage (with)
• regard
• view
• consider
• rate
• esteem
• reckon

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of be

Verb

There are no tanks rolling toward Kyiv, no lightning offensives seizing regions, no major cities under siege. —Andrew Ryvkin, The Atlantic, 14 Oct. 2025

There are also boat tours, kayak and canoe rentals, hiking, and fishing within the park. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2025

Spaghetti Cumbia said there was no time to spend on the streets between rehearsals and studio sessions. —NPR, 14 Oct. 2025

At this time, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it is still undetermined. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Phrases Containing be

• be (to)
• be friends with
• be on the lookout for
• be out of breath
• be partial to
• fit to be tied
• to be sure