demonstrate
verb (used with object)
to make evident or establish by arguments or reasoning; prove.
had been demonstrating
-
past perfect progressiveof demonstrate.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.
The previous day, about 100 laid-off workers had been demonstrating against their dismissal at the Shadegan steel complex in western Iran.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
Tens of thousands of young people had been demonstrating in Delhi, demanding Pradhan resign after exam paper leaks and testing irregularities.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
Taylor had been demonstrating and rallying in support of Black Lives Matter nearly every day since the protests began.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 27, 2023
Protesters had been demonstrating for days around Lafayette Square, directly north of the White House, when federal authorities abruptly and forcefully cleared the area on June 1.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 17, 2020
When her mother had been demonstrating, they had worked like mirror images, their hands and arms in unison.
From "Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story" by Nora Raleigh Baskin
