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

Imagine if there were a way to capture and reduce that waste—both during the cycle as well as at the end of life? —Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 2025

Then there was new information about Prince Andrew visiting Epstein’s Island. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 29 Sep. 2025

But while many Hollywood productions have gone overseas in search of lucrative inducements, there are still plenty of creative — and non-economic — reasons a film would shoot outside the United States. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2025

But if blithe grandiosity was Stein’s armor, there was a chink in it. —Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 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