Sentence:  However , it determined that neither this factor , nor `` the fact that all concerned in high executive posts in both companies acted honorably and fairly , each in the honest conviction that his actions <WSD>were</WSD> in the best interests of his own company and without any design to overreach anyone , including du Pont 's competitors '' , 353 U. S. , at 607 , outweighed the Government 's claim for relief . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)