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 Naperville residents who’ve been unable to use Book Road for most of the year will see a little relief once the stretch between 75th and 83rd streets reopens by month’s end. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 Some of the greatest shows on Earth these days are coming from the road warriors who’ve been out there the longest. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026 Especially at both lines of scrimmage, Nebraska seeks players who’ve been through it. — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for been
Verb
  • Yet as related here in the low-key delivery of someone who not just survived but lived to be 101 years old, Jaku was able to enjoy the love, peace, contentment and security he was denied in his youth.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • For someone who has never lived here, Miami Beach can appear almost absurdly beautiful.
    — Erin Parish, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 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
  • The four-star recruit was ranked among the top 300 players nationally by various outlets.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Los Angeles ranked 32 of 500, with the annual water bill estimated at $952.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • On Monday, a kayaker happened upon a half-kilogram of cocaine off Sumerland Key in the Lower Keys.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The crash happened as a white Toyota Prius traveling north on Gillham Plaza struck the pedestrian, according to the crash log.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Such spousal exemptions once existed in every state, but few remain, Turkheimer said.
    — Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Micropayments have existed for decades but saw little practical use.
    — Shlomit Wagman, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The average active operational exit horizon for VC and private equity firms in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) stood at six years in 2025, reflecting a maturing market that requires more patient capital.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
  • As the train horn blew for the fourth time in Saturday’s KC Current home game at CPKC Stadium, Debinha stood alone in the penalty area of Bay FC.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Back then there were no refrigerators — there were iceboxes, and glasses were placed upside down inside them to cool before being filled with ice cream.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Health authorities in Kenya have placed the country's border points on high alert and are monitoring for possible additional cases.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • And just like that, the auditions are done and the battles have begun.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But his reliance on several smaller parties to get anything done has hamstrung his legislative ability.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Been.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/been. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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