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"

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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 While there was some late pressure from Argentina, that included an always-dangerous Messi free kick from just outside the box that Cape Verde managed to stop. — Matt Reigle, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 There were no immediate indications yesterday that US intelligence had knowledge of a specific plot that prompted the warning. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 That match was held before the game in Kansas City, and each time Cape Verde scored, there were cheers from the Colombia supporters at Arrowhead Stadium. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026 There are nods to the environmental devastation wrought by the cattle industry that dominated Southern California in the first half of the 19th century, as well as the Faustian bargain struck by Indigenous people who converted to Catholicism. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 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
  • Having lived long in an unusual place, Ruth provides a calm counterpoint to the frantic Tom.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Fathom, based in Colorado, primarily distributes one-off cinematic events, from live broadcasts of opera, stage plays and live concert pics to anniversary rereleases of classic Hollywood films.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
Definition of live
Verb
  • And as things stand, San Francisco’s bullpen could desperately use someone like the submariner.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Proponents argue recordings would solve a long-standing crisis that leaves many proceedings with no verbatim record.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of stand
Verb
  • That project, called Aviano, now ranks among nine developments across Antioch, Oakley, Martinez, Pinole and Pleasant Hill that federal prosecutors appear to be targeting in their latest investigation into the assessor’s office, the subpoenas show.
    — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Some winners have consistently ranked in the awards for more than two decades; others are catching your attention for the first time.
    — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of rank
Verb
  • This episode, Zack wakes up and bolts upright with the bandage still on his head from getting clobbered with a sign on his birthday and can’t remember what happened the night before.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 July 2026
  • This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026
Definition of happen
Verb
  • Depending on your home, circumstances, and existing HVAC setup, this may involve adding a wireless temperature sensor upstairs or upgrading HVAC systems.
    — Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 3 July 2026
  • Rehabbing an older building Kevin Regalado, the principal architect from Jacobs Project Management, which conducted the analyses on the existing buildings, shared his findings, as well.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of exist
Verb
  • Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
  • Within the town of Timberlake lies a small campground named Sullivan’s Crossing.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of lie
Verb
  • During closing arguments Monday, Deputy District Attorney Daniel Gochnour said GPS data placed Vasquez’s phone at the site of both fires around the time each was reported.
    — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • The commercial airline pilot ultimately placed third, and was selected to lead the following season of The Bachelor.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026
Definition of place
Verb
  • The decision came before Carney headed to this week’s NATO summit, where allies face pressure to back higher defense spending with concrete plans.
    — Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Unlike some folding bikes – including popular models from Brompton and Birdy – which come with small 16-inch wheels, the Tetra gets 20-inchers for greater comfort over a variety of road surfaces.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 July 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 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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