Synonyms of was

was

verb

past tense of be

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

• lived
• existed
• ruled
• breathed
• continued
• survived
• subsisted
• flourished
• led
• persisted
• lasted
• kicked
• kept (on)
• endured
• held on
• moved
• ran on
• held up
• prospered
• abided
• thrived

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• died
• departed
• disappeared
• expired
• passed away
• perished
• ended
• succumbed
• stopped
• vanished
• evaporated
• ceased
• discontinued
• quit
• died (down)
• subsided
• waned
• abated
• moderated
• desisted
• ebbed
• let up

2

as in stood

to occupy a place or location

we'll be there waiting for you

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stood
• sat
• remained
• bore
• lay
• resided
• stayed
• waited
• rested
• stationed
• awaited
• posted
• overlooked
• commanded
• hung around
• stuck around
• dwelled
• tarried

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

• ranked
• placed
• stood
• rated
• graded
• seeded
• counted
• classed
• classified
• grouped
• installed
• categorized
• separated
• sorted
• set
• codified
• instated
• compartmentalized

4

as in happened

to take place

the party is next Saturday

Synonyms & Similar Words

• happened
• came
• occurred
• did
• cooked
• came about
• transpired
• passed
• came down
• went on
• chanced
• befell
• went down
• came to pass
• came off
• happed
• developed
• betided
• resulted
• rose
• arose
• proceeded
• materialized
• came up
• intervened
• followed
• shaped (up)
• turned out
• cropped (up)
• sprang (up)
• broke
• fell out
• went off

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of was

There was a pause, as a room full of songwriters — the event was specifically for the Recording Academy’s Songwriters & Composers Wing — erupted into laughter. — Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Toby Xu, Alibaba Group’s chief financial officer, said there was revenue growth and margin gains across the company’s core businesses. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026

Two sources on the ground that night confirmed to me there was some kind of altercation, although the severity of it remains unclear. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

There was a lot to be gained by doing adult films with the rise of VHS and the democratization of pornography, people being able to watch it in their living rooms. — Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026

All were concerned that there was damage being done to the reputation of the National Guard. — Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026

Though Arkansas cotton farmers exceeded expectations this year, there was still cotton acreage decline from last year. — Cristina Larue, Arkansas Online, 24 Aug. 2026

The last time there was a threat of a lockout, in 2021, the Rangers fearlessly spent money in free agency, signing Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and others. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

At the time, police believed there was one suspect, but the person had not been identified. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026