gloat
verb (used without object)
to look at or think about with great or excessive, often smug or malicious, satisfaction.
had been gloating
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past perfect progressiveof gloat.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 gloating over it with a candle in the dark vault; but a few rows more, and his work was done, and he might go—to die, or find Mercedes.
From Pirate Gold by Frederic Jesup Stimson
Little Jim Chute had been gloating over the fact that it must pass by his house, and when it stopped short under the elms in the dooryard his heart almost broke for joy.
From The Village Watch-Tower by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin
Mrs. Fenton, whose eyes all the while had been gloating over the gold on the table now swept it into her pocket.
From Madame Flirt A Romance of 'The Beggar's Opera' by Charles Edward Pearce
These were the boys who had been gloating over him for a week and more, but now it was his turn.
From Bat Wing Bowles by Dane Coolidge
Ralph noted this at once, and as well the extreme peril of the situation of the enemy who, a minute previous had been gloating over his helplessness.
From Ralph on the Overland Express The Trials and Triumphs of a Young Engineer by Allen Chapman
