had

Definition of hadnext
past tense of have
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as in experienced
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it had a great time at the party had three operations on her leg

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 had The Lions had 42 varsity players this year, including 22 girls. Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026 The junior right-hander finally had some breathing room. Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 Luis Puls had a home run and six RBIs. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026 Towns had to work through extra traffic. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026 But yes, that was cold-blooded to Dickson, who clearly had a crush on her. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2025 Police had Bumgardner take a breathalyzer test twice, several minutes apart. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025 So those doctors had great talent. Time Staff, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025 Rod Stewart and King Charles had a memorable interaction at The King's Foundation's 35th anniversary time capsule ceremony. Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for had
Verb
  • Iran has also conducted drone strikes that damaged data centers in the region that are owned by Amazon Web Services, which operates the world’s largest cloud platform—high-value targets with major financial and operational ramifications.
    Sue Halpern, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The property has been family owned for over a century and is ideal for multi-generational holidays or several couples traveling with kids.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The lieutenant who handled his Skelly conference wrote that Webster accepted full responsibility for his actions and apologized.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Earlier this month, the city of Aurora accepted a grant from the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on behalf of Mutual Ground to make needed renovations.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Incumbent Mayor John McCann, a Republican, is the lone member of his party on a council otherwise composed of Democrats — a dynamic that has produced notable splits on several high-profile issues.
    Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Washington, a big, fast, physical back who has produced in the SEC, is near the top of the list.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But some were also deceived or coerced.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Musk, who had donated at least $38 million to the lab, wanted to be CEO and gain majority control, but felt deceived after a power struggle with Altman over the role.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Other participants experienced the sounds within the context of their dreams; in one, the question seemed to emanate from a dream radio.
    Shayla Love, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
  • Earlier this month, the Times of India reported an Air India Express pilot experienced a cardiac arrest at Delhi Airport on April 8.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Soriano allowed three runs on six hits with six strikeouts and three walks in five innings.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • If catchers, pitchers, or hitters believed an umpire missed a call, they were suddenly allowed to challenge it.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • As seen in a now-viral video on TikTok, Alexis took matters into her own hands and bribed her little girl with $2 to cooperate and smile for picture day.
    Georgia Slater, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Forest might have added a third European trophy in six years under him had opponents Anderlecht not bribed the referee for their semi-final in the 1983-84 UEFA Cup (today’s Europa League).
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.
    Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Had.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/had. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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