boycott
verb (used with object)
to combine in abstaining from, or preventing dealings with, as a means of intimidation or coercion.
had been boycotting
-
past perfect progressiveof boycott.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Flynn joked that Scotland had been boycotting the tournament since 1998 and said it was not something fans should do again.
From BBC ● Jan. 21, 2026
The two groups, which back several ministers, had been boycotting the cabinet in a dispute over the conduct of an investigation into a huge explosion at Beirut's port in 2020.
From Reuters ● Jan. 18, 2022
Students had been boycotting classes, demanding O’Neill’s resignation.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 7, 2016
He wrote the decision that ruled bus segregation in Montgomery unconstitutional, in a case that was forced by black residents who had been boycotting the buses and walking to work for months.
From The New Yorker ● Feb. 13, 2015
Walid Jumblatt, the Druze leader, had been boycotting Cabinet meetings for some time.
From Time Magazine Archive
