brew
verb (used with object)
to make (beer, ale, etc.) by steeping, boiling, and fermenting malt and hops.
had been brewing
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past perfect progressiveof brew.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.
But friction had been brewing in the months before that.
From BBC ● Jan. 1, 2026
But this week’s turn of events had been brewing over the course of a two-month internal saga that finally erupted when Moore’s behavior suddenly burst into view.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025
Head said opening for Australia at home had been "brewing for a bit", having done the job several times on overseas tours.
From Barron's ● Nov. 23, 2025
Still, it only added to the frustration that had been brewing after their lackluster performances here in the series’ first two nights, sending the club to five defeats in the last six games.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2025
Looking back now, I wonder how it came to pass that not until that fateful day did we realise the trouble that had been brewing.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
