1
as in lived
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
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
as in happened
to take place
the party is next Saturday
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of was
After the Knicks had already demoralized the Sixers three times too many, there was still time on the clock for one more haymaker, one more seismic punch to put Philadelphia, already on the ropes far sooner than its fan base had anticipated, out for good.
—
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
There was evidence of mice where all three of the deceased had worked, and one person had numerous mice in their home, according to the public health office for Mono County, home to Mammoth Lakes.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026
Kevin Griess, the superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks for the Park Service, said during the hearing there was no plan to begin such work Monday but added that a safety assessment was underway.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
If there was ever a time to promote it, that time is now.
—French Hill, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2026
Because he was acquitted, there was no vote to bar him from holding office again.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 4 May 2026
After Monday night’s Game 4 victory, there was no bravado, no declarations and no viral sound bites waiting to be misinterpreted.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
According to multiple sources, there was friction between McAlister and his head coach at the time, Andy Avalos, who later became TCU’s defensive coordinator.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
There was no word early Monday on who shot the two men.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
There was evidence of mice where all three of the deceased had worked, and one person had numerous mice in their home, according to the public health office for Mono County, home to Mammoth Lakes.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026
Kevin Griess, the superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks for the Park Service, said during the hearing there was no plan to begin such work Monday but added that a safety assessment was underway.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
If there was ever a time to promote it, that time is now.
—French Hill, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2026
Because he was acquitted, there was no vote to bar him from holding office again.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 4 May 2026
After Monday night’s Game 4 victory, there was no bravado, no declarations and no viral sound bites waiting to be misinterpreted.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
According to multiple sources, there was friction between McAlister and his head coach at the time, Andy Avalos, who later became TCU’s defensive coordinator.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
There was no word early Monday on who shot the two men.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for was
Verb
-
Singh said the man lived alone with his disabled son, who required round-the-clock care and supervision.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
Authorities said Catalan-Torreblanca may have lived near apartment complexes where the attacks took place, warning that there may be other victims or connected cases that lack DNA evidence.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Alberts did not say it, but all signs point to the team moving to Plano for a new development where Willow Bend Mall was once stood.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Sheridan Road Holiday Club opened as a second location in 2001, but has stood alone for most of its history.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Their offense began the day ranked fifth in the majors in OPS and eighth in runs per game, despite a bevy of absences, backing Brown’s point.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
7 May 2026
-
Notre Dame was ranked ahead of UM for five weeks until the teams were flipped in the final rankings, sending the Canes to the playoffs and leaving the Irish out of the playoff field.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 7, according to the Tribune’s archives.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
This even happened in Venice, during the couple’s wedding celebrations.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Even novels and feature films that criticized the war were being told from the American point of view, as though Iraqis barely existed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But because the field has long existed slightly under the radar, many artists have been free to develop innovative approaches—such as fabric manipulation or, in my case, fabric assemblage.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Levi Jones, a 33-year-old business owner, pulled up to Sacred Eye Tattoos in Hollywood last week and sat for eight hours getting a photorealistic black-and-white portrait of Mangione on his leg.—
Amanda Rosa,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
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
-
It’s scheduled to hear arguments in May on claims the new districts violate compactness requirements and should be placed on hold pending the potential referendum.—
David A. Lieb,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
The Padres placed Cruz on the restricted list in mid-March and have declined further comment.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
That came just a few days after news broke that Palantir had secured a $10 billion contract from the US Army over the next decade.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
-
All five of Bednar’s outs came via strikeout on Wednesday.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Was.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/was. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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