break
verb (used with object)
to smash, split, or divide into parts violently; reduce to pieces or fragments.
had been breaking
-
past perfect progressiveof break.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.
He also rejected accusations that his measures against journalists and others had gone too far, insisting that he had been merely applying the laws that others had been breaking.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2025
Japanese cryptographers had been breaking U.S. military codes — seemingly at will — and Navajo, a complex, little-known, tonal language, turned out to be a perfect solution to a dire problem.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2024
Originally it was believed that a single, large black bear the public nicknamed “Hank the Tank” had been breaking into homes.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 6, 2023
According to court documents, managers at P H Food had been breaking the law by choosing not to check work papers submitted by undocumented immigrants.
From The New Yorker ● Oct. 31, 2019
Pet’s version of the story had been breaking her heart since she heard it; she wanted to wait a little before breaking Redemption’s.
From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi
