be

verb

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"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 Last year there were 31,142 total students enrolled in the 59 schools operated by the Archdiocese of Miami, which includes Miami-Dade, Monroe and Broward counties. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026 The singer has been in court this week for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to put him on trial. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 July 2026 The launch hints at sustained progress after years of botched tests, but there is a caveat. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 25 July 2026 As of Saturday morning local time there were no such updates. — CNN Money, 25 July 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
  • Jones said Velasquez and the victim were close friends and lived just a few miles apart.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
  • In addition to the startling experience of touching the remains of an animal that lived hundreds of millions of years ago, contact with the Mastodonsaurus offers an opportunity to reflect on the future, those involved in the project said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Definition of live
Verb
  • After a few kids broke into the neighborhood pool and left a mess a few months ago, Robinson said one man threatened to stand guard at the pool gate and shoot the kids with a BB gun.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
  • Today, the number of satellites orbiting Earth currently stands at around 14,000, with the vast majority being Starlink satellites.
    — Chris Young July 28, Refractor, 28 July 2026
Definition of stand
Verb
  • In alphabetical order, here are the top linebackers ahead of the Georgia high school football season, with ranking information from 247 Composite.
    — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 28 July 2026
  • Among the 10 largest school districts in Colorado, Denver’s low-income students rank eighth in proficiency for reading and math.
    — Elaine Gantz Berman, Denver Post, 27 July 2026
Definition of rank
Verb
  • Streaming Changed the Game Perhaps the most striking shift from four years ago is what happened on digital platforms.
    — Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Then 2025-26 happened — a year where Hutson scored at a near point-per-game pace, improved defensively and was Montreal’s engine from the back end en route to a sixth-place finish for the Norris.
    — Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of happen
Verb
  • Without Trail Ridge, the Okefenokee would cease to exist in its present magnificence.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
  • The church leaders called on lawmakers to retain existing tax exemptions for charitable organizations such as maternity homes, domestic violence shelters and food banks if Amendment 5 passes.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
Definition of exist
Verb
  • Somewhere between looseness and rigor lies the best way to render a cabaret act as theatrical comedy.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 July 2026
  • Because the lake lies just beyond the windows, diners get a front-row seat to the ever-changing colors of the sky at sunset.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Definition of lie
Verb
  • Currently, North Carolina is experiencing a drought that’s especially intense in the Piedmont region, which has led to Charlotte Water placing restrictions on water usage.
    — Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026
  • Schmidt then took Pambianchi's belongings and placed them in the bathtub, where the water destroyed many of her items.
    — Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2026
Definition of place
Verb
  • Even in the prime of his worldwide fame, the legendary jazz saxophonist regularly came home for gigs.
    — Dan Kelly July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • Accessibility Most guests park in a central lot before heading to their cabins—reducing carbon emissions—but two ADA-compliant cabins come with parking spots.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Definition of come

Phrases Containing be

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be
beach
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Cite this Entry

“Be.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/be. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on be

Nglish: Translation of be for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about be

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