crawl
verb (used without object)
to move in a prone position with the body resting on or close to the ground, as a worm or caterpillar, or on the hands and knees, as a young child.
had been crawling
-
past perfect progressiveof crawl.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.
Ridership had been crawling upward in the fall, but Wiedefeld said growth plateaued, even before the mid-October suspension of Metro’s 7000-series rail cars forced the transit agency to reduce rail service.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 22, 2022
The lawn had been crawling with British car executives.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2014
You also got the feeling the lawyers had been crawling all over this film and that a great deal of the more sensational material had been left on the cutting-room floor.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 18, 2010
Winterfell had been crawling with squatters when Bolton’s van had reached the castle.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
A fly that had been crawling along Wilbur’s trough had flown up and blundered into the lower part of Charlotte’s web and was tangled in the sticky threads.
From "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White
