envy
noun
a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc.
had been envying
-
past perfect progressiveof envy.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 had been envying Diamond his long confidential conversation with the doctor's daughter.
From A Charming Fellow, Volume II (of 3) by Frances Eleanor Trollope
"Say what it is, mother dear, and I'll do it," cried Mike, who had been envying Pat his chance to earn.
From The Widow O'Callaghan's Boys by Gulielma Zollinger
Tyler, who but a moment before had been envying them their familiarity with these very things now nodded and smiled understanding at Moran.
From Cheerful—By Request by Edna Ferber
She had been envying him the ease with which he swung himself, the height of his ascent.
From A Second Coming by Richard Marsh
She quickly turned back to the shadow of the board-walk, to draw on her stockings and shoes, kneeling on the sand like the simple maid of the ballads which she had been envying.
From The Trail of the Hawk A Comedy of the Seriousness of Life by Sinclair Lewis
