was

verb

Definition of wasnext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stood
to occupy a place or location we'll be there waiting for you

Synonyms & Similar Words
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 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 was The researchers said there was no better animal to study than Jonathan. — Kyle Melnick The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026 There was no fussing over rooms—everyone agreed their bed was ultra-cozy. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026 Bajaria asked Sarandos point-blank whether there was truth to the rumors gaining stream — and Sarandos, who it’s believed was originally going to break the news on Monday, told her at that moment. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 Well, about four songs in, Jackson Browne decides to start his spiel about 'No Nukes' and how there was a nuke plant near Champaign, and everyone should 'duck and cover' or some crap like that. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Gomelsky told investigators there was no reason Wang would need the victim’s research notes because their fields of study at the university were unrelated, the affidavit said. — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 As for this season, residents probably have another big charge coming, as many have not yet received their September bills reflecting the state’s highest electricity use in four years, and there was another major heat wave in October. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 No matter how controlled the setup, there was always room for improvisation, for spontaneity. — Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 The suspension of the TV pool meant that there was much less video coverage of major ceremonies and other events surrounding his visit. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for was
  1. lived
  2. stood
  3. ranked
  4. happened
  5. existed
  6. sat
  7. placed
  8. came
Verb
  • Accessibility app Snowball turns lived experiences into detailed data, letting users review businesses and other venues for their step-free access, accessible toilets, parking, seating, lighting, noise, and quiet spaces.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Invictibellatrix amberina lived around 120 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous period.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of lived
Verb
  • By 2024, revenue stood at $74 million—over 25% below pre-pandemic levels.
    — Chase Jordan October 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Behind the bar, nutcrackers stood side by side with small Bears helmets.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of stood
Verb
  • In just the last two years, the team won back-to-back championships and ranked among the league’s top three most expensive payrolls.
    — Isaac Tellechea, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
  • As things stand, Boise State is the only team ranked in the AP Top 25, indicating that the Broncos are in the driver’s seat.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of ranked
Verb
  • Here’s what happened outside before the doors officially unlocked.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Had that not happened the team would have had to most likely play at Gateway Center Arena — its usual home that seats 3,500.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of happened
Verb
  • Comparisons between the Princess of Wales and Princess Rajwa have existed since the Jordanian royal's relationship with the Crown Prince became public.
    — Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The technology and the control existed, but the evidence didn’t support the assumption.
    — Scott Alldridge, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of existed
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
Definition of sat
Verb
  • Coleman found instructive a 1938 ruling in favor of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who challenged a radio station that placed observers on a rooftop next to Forbes Field and paid them to provide play-by-play for an unauthorized radio broadcast.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Governor John Jay, a leading Federalist who placed greater faith in firm government than in popular judgment, had authorized the military presence after the sheriff reported fears of a rescue.
    — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of placed
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
Definition of came

Browse Nearby Words

wary
was
was friends with
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Cite this Entry

“Was.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/was. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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