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be

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of be

1 to have life

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

breathe, exist, live, subsist
Words Related to be

abide, continue, endure, hold on, hold up, keep (on), kick, last, lead, persist, rule, run on, survive

move

flourish, prosper, thrive
Near Antonyms of be

disappear, evaporate, vanish

cease, desist, discontinue, end, quit, stop

abate, die (down), ebb, let up, moderate, subside, wane
Antonyms of be

depart, die, expire, pass away, perish, succumb

2 to occupy a place or location

  • we'll be there waiting for you
Synonyms of be

bear, lie, sit, stand
Words Related to be

command, overlook

hang around, remain, rest, stay, stick around, tarry

await, wait

post, station

dwell, reside

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

  • our schoolʼs football team is first in its division
Synonyms of be

grade, place, rank, rate, stand
Words Related to be

seed

count

categorize, class, classify, codify, compartmentalize, group, separate, set, sort

install, instate

4 to take place

  • the party is next Saturday
Synonyms of be

befall, betide, chance, come, come about, come down, come off, cook, do, go down [slang], go on, hap, happen, occur, pass, transpire
Words Related to be

break, develop, rise, shape (up)

arise, come up, crop (up), materialize, spring (up)

intervene

fall out, follow, result, turn out

go off, proceed
Phrases Synonymous with be

come to pass

be (to)

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of be (to)

to behave toward in a stated way

  • you need to be nice to your brother
Synonyms of be (to)

act (toward), deal (with), handle, serve, treat, use
Words Related to be (to)

consider, esteem, rate, reckon, regard, view

engage (with), react (to), respond (to)
Phrases Synonymous with be (to)

do by

Learn More about be

  1. See words that rhyme with be Dictionary: Definition of be Medical Dictionary: Definition of be Spanish Central: Translation of be Nglish: Translation of be for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of be for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about be

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