been

Definition of beennext
past participle of be
1
2
3
as in ranked
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

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 been But nowhere have the politics of data centers been more strained than in the Wisconsin governor’s race. Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026 These are women in their late 30s, still single, who’ve been through relationships and are still trying, who could have had kids and haven’t, committed to their work and to enjoying themselves. Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 Over the years, there’ve been so many different initiatives that then sprang out of these talks, which is another amazing thing. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026 The special edition adds her to the scene, on a surface level flexing access to these men who’ve been movers and shakers across consecutive centuries, which could imply an artist seeing their own work on the same level. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 24 July 2026 Three races in, there’ve been unforeseen winners, unpredicted changes to the schedule and the unanticipated reality of regulation changes dawning. Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026 The fans who’ve been down with me since the ’99 and 2000s, the ones who’ve been riding with me all the way to now. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 27 Mar. 2026 Phillips told Us Weekly there’d been the possibility of getting a kidney from her brother, Aron, but doctors ultimately turned him down. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026 And there’ve been many times throughout filming this where Paul and I were just sort of stranded, the two of us, and that offers a huge opportunity to bond. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for been
Verb
  • If more bucks lived to be 7 ½ years old like the one Mitch tagged in 1998, the county would certainly produce more record-book bucks.
    Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
  • At times, his psychological explanations may seem almost too orderly for a woman who lived so exuberantly in disorder.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • This fine establishment has sat at the same address in the Williamsburg Bridge's shadow since 1887, and the interiors carry about as many frills as your average public house—dark wood, plaster walls, and so on.
    Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
  • The birthday boy and his big sister Sterling Skye, 3, each sat between one of their parents’ laps.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • There are only two games this season that match the two best teams, with both being ranked in the top 10, from the same county playing each other voluntarily this season.
    Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Missouri ranked 48th in safety, 36th in economic environment and 50th in driving laws, according to the study’s metrics.
    Joseph Hernandez August 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • A lot of things happened over the course of the history of baseball.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
  • But that’s just what happened, as Arlington seized a statement 38-22 victory.
    Charles Baggarly August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The club was live-action social media before social media existed.
    Derek C. Blasberg, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That year, Congress passed the Humphrey-Hawkins Act, which required the Fed chair to report to Congress twice a year – a formal and recurring channel of oversight that hadn’t existed before.
    Paul Wachtel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Some of the model buildings stood 5 feet tall, and many were designed to break away to mimic the effects of a blast.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Uptown Charlotte’s public safety, and perception versus reality, stood at the forefront of Charlotte Center City Partners board meeting Thursday morning.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Few have placed bigger bets than Blackstone on the AI revolution, which demands massive funding for large language models and the data centers and energy infrastructure that power them.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The illusion of molten steel was basically water and mineral oil mixed with a little powdered sugar; creative lighting and heaters placed below the cameras—plus a few CGI sparks in the background—did the rest.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • There is no pressure or urgency internally to get a deal done immediately.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Gotta be honest, this instrumental version from one of those cover compilations of rock songs done lullaby-style for hipster parents is kind of great.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Been.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/been. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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