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.

Whitecotton and others who stood just feet away said Owens was unarmed, had been hugging his aunt, Evelyn O’Dell, and was fired on immediately after his name was called.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 8, 2022

Quinto's mother, Cassandra Quinto-Collins, claims she had been hugging her son and he was calm by the time officers arrived at their home in Antioch, 45 miles east of San Francisco.

From Fox News • Feb. 24, 2021

I had been hugging the dog for 4 minutes when I heard screaming.

From "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon

Then he turned to me and handed me the other book that he had been hugging under his arm.

From Marjorie by McCarthy, Justin H. (Justin Huntly)

She had been hugging her little bundle as if it had been a life-preserver.

From Comrade Yetta by Edwards, Albert