The antonyms for the phrase "were duty" are quite varied, as "were" signifies past tense of "to be" and "duty" means an obligation, task or responsibility. Some antonyms for "were" include "will," "am," or "are" while antonyms for "duty" might include "leisure," "pleasure," or "choice." Therefore, antonyms for "were duty" could be "will pleasure," "am leisure," "are choice," or any combination of antonyms. These pairs suggest a sense of freedom, lack of obligation or control, and a focus on enjoyment or preference instead of responsibility. It is important to note that context is crucial to determine appropriate antonyms for any particular phrase or word.