The phrase "were like" is a common colloquialism that is used to describe a conversation or event in an informal way. To convey the same meaning in a more formal or professional manner, you could use synonyms such as "said," "mentioned," "reported," or "described." Alternatively, you could use phrases such as "were similar to," "resembled," "mirrored," or "emulated" to convey the same idea. These alternative phrases can help to inject a level of professionalism and sophistication into your writing, making it more effective for formal documents, academic papers, or presentations.