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 Animal print footwear has been trending this year, and Anne Hathaway proved that there is a casual-cool way to embrace it. — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 1 Aug. 2026 There was obviously so much going on on that field, everyone celebrating. — Brian Maass, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026 There is a road closure on Winchester Avenue between Manchester Trafficway and I-70 West. — Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026 There is a law enforcement reason for that redaction, according to the officials. — Tom Winter, NBC news, 1 Aug. 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 gap between what the league promises on paper and what a domestic player actually experiences on the ground is where the real work of building a sport lives.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Officers also interviewed his daughter, Lina Alvarado, 19, and girlfriend, Mely Mendoza, 38, who live at the house.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of live
Verb
  • Face filters can be advanced, but images may break if a scammer turns their head or is asked to stand and spin around, Whyte said.
    — Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • While HoloHolo Grill is the only restaurant onsite, Kōloa Landing Resort does have a free-standing snack shack poolside serving shave ice and root beer floats along with a handy marketplace just off the lobby.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of stand
Verb
  • Fabrizio’s hire was ranked the third best this century in a 2025 AJC article.
    — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Reigns’ famed 1,316-day reign ranks above only Hulk Hogan, Bob Backlund and Bruno Sammartino as one of the longest reigns of all time.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of rank
Verb
  • Add onto that uncertainty about the rest of this year’s campaign and whether the season-ending team championship in Michigan will happen and the picture only gets murkier.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The weeklong weather conditions that led to the fires in Ontario are now the type that can happen every six years or so, the report said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of happen
Verb
  • The comparison is imperfect because a computer is a physical asset while a ChatGPT user accesses software through an existing phone or computer.
    — Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Researchers say the trial is not intended to replace existing treatments veterans are on, but to determine whether semaglutide could offer another option.
    — Ubah Ali, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of exist
Verb
  • The archeological ruins of the Villa of Tiberius, the Roman emperor who ruled from 17 to 42 CE, were long rumored to lie somewhere between Rome and Naples.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Her baby lies still in her arms, his breathing faintly wheezing.
    — Fatma Tanis, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of lie
Verb
  • The measure also cleared the state Senate and will be signed by Moore on Wednesday, and then it can be placed on the ballot.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The rooms All are subtly and swankily music-themed in the spirit of the hotel’s strong music history (Carnegie Hall is nearly next door) and art works focusing on instruments placed throughout the property were curated by The Met.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of place
Verb
  • The Supersonic™ Travel comes with a styling concentrator attachment that works well for polished, event-ready styles.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Still, the resignation comes with just weeks before Johnson introduces that budget, his fourth, which will also have to address a likely large 2027 deficit.
    — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 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 6 Aug. 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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