be 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈbē How to pronounce be (audio)
Definition of benext
1
as in to live
to have life stories that begin with the familiar line "once upon a time there was a beautiful maiden"

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stand
to occupy a place or location we'll be there waiting for you

Synonyms & Similar Words
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
4
as in to happen
to take place the party is next Saturday

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of be
Verb
There are also biographies of David Beckham, Bob Dylan, Carole King, Marilyn Monroe, and Audrey Hepburn. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 Compared to 2026, there are currently 12 original films inside that top 20. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026 If a factory doesn’t have a fire suppression system yet, but at least there is safe egress, then workers can get out safely in the immediate moment. — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 There are also three new exclusive Miraval The Red Sea options. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for be
Recent Examples of Synonyms for be
  1. live
  2. stand
  3. rank
  4. happen
  5. exist
  6. lie
  7. place
  8. come
Verb
  • The prolific – and still very active – Bellocchio, who is 86, is considered the greatest living Italian director of the country’s old guard that came of age during the 1960s.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • At the University of Tokyo, researchers have even grown living human skin over robotic digits to wrinkle naturally and mend wounds with collagen.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of live
Verb
  • Outdoor bars and pop-up tasting stands peppered the festival grounds, offering adult libations to the 21-and-over crowd dancing, moshing and rocking out all weekend.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Before the speaker’s podium stood a vase filled with white roses; to the right, a large photograph of the deceased.
    — Peter E. Gordon, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of stand
Verb
  • The fact Chourio didn't automatically rank it atop the list speaks volumes about all the memorable moments the 22-year-old already has produced in his first three seasons.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Willis also entered Sunday ranked 29th in completion percentage at 57%, ahead of only one starter who hasn’t missed time due to injury (Love).
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of rank
Verb
  • Generally, meetings happen at least once per year, but the cadence may vary based on complexity and the scope of the engagement.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Though he’s dedicated to Snook’s Arm, Calvin realizes that strange things are happening.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of happen
Verb
  • In-house attorneys must now approve or change new or existing contracts, and the board has the power to approve contracts over $25 million.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The commission recommends people in the Asheville area purchase bear-resistant trash containers, or modify existing trash containers with straps, buckles or metal clasps to lock down the lids.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of exist
Verb
  • Past the lobby lie the consortium’s constellation of swimming pools (four total, including one Nobu-exclusive, adults-only dip) and, across the bustling boardwalk, a stretch of beach with loungers reserved just for guests.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The stars lied about their romance in press interviews for decades afterward.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of lie
Verb
  • Hospitalized on September 29, doctors initially suspected a severe case of COVID-19 and placed her in an isolated respiratory ward.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • As Washington placed more tariffs on Chinese goods, supply chains shifted to Southeast Asia to take advantage of lower import duties.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of place
Verb
  • This addresses a younger consumer and elevates Heinemann’s beauty offer with a strong local brand partner, which comes with its own selection highly dedicated to beauty subcategories.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • News of Bloys’ new deal came the same day that the new Skydance unveiled its corporate structure.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of come

Phrases Containing be

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Cite this Entry

“Be.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/be. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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