be (to)

verb

Definition of be (to)next
as in to treat
to behave toward in a stated way you need to be nice to your brother

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for be (to)
  1. treat
  2. serve
  3. handle
  4. use
Verb
  • Following Masias’ detainment, immigration agents who milled about the parking were nonresponsive to the protesters, who shouted at them through the locked fence surrounding the Moss building as Sacramento Fire Department personnel treated Masias.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The researchers say the cracks can be deliberately incorporated into the coating rather than treated as unwanted defects.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of treat
Verb
  • Breakfast is served in the main dining room and leans buffet.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Epstein served 13 months in Palm Beach County Jail with a 12-hour work release during the day.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of serve
Verb
  • However, the designer needed some time off, if not entirely detached, from the whirlwind of handling a fashion megabrand.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Democratic staffers on the Senate Finance Committee intend to home in on how high-ranking executives at JPMorgan handled Epstein, a source familiar with the panel's thinking told CNBC on Thursday.
    — Eamon Javers,Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of handle
Verb
  • The senator also used her remarks to underscore the stakes of electing lawmakers willing to withstand pressure from lobbyists and wealthy donors.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 3 Nov. 2026
  • However, sometimes chuck and top sirloin are used, offering a richer, more flavorful, marbled cut.
    — Natalia Vela, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of use
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.

Browse Nearby Words

bêtises
be (to)
betoken
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Be (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/be%20%28to%29. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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