The phrase "were grateful" is commonly used to express gratitude or appreciation. However, there are several synonyms that can convey the same meaning in a different way. Some of the synonyms for "were grateful" include thankful, appreciative, beholden, obliged, indebted, and indebtedness. These synonyms can be used interchangeably depending on the context and tone of the sentence. For example, instead of saying "we were grateful for your help," one may say "we are truly thankful for your assistance." Utilizing different synonyms can add variety and depth to one's language and communication skills.