What is a verb for was?

There isn't a single perfect verb to replace "was" because it depends on the context and what you're trying to convey. Here's a breakdown of possible replacements depending on the situation:

For past tense:

* To be (present tense): "I am happy now, but I was sad yesterday."

* To have been: "I have been to Paris, but I was not there last week."

* To go: "The party went well, although it was a little crowded."

* To exist: "There was a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth."

For passive voice:

* To be + past participle: "The window was broken by the storm."

* To get + past participle: "The car got stolen last night."

For specific situations:

* To become: "The caterpillar became a butterfly."

* To turn: "The weather turned cold overnight."

* To find oneself: "He found himself lost in the woods."

It's important to consider the nuance you want to convey. For example:

* "He was a good friend" could be replaced with "He remained a good friend" to emphasize continuity.

* "She was angry" could be replaced with "She became enraged" to emphasize a strong emotion.

Ultimately, the best verb to use depends on the specific context of your sentence.