hunger
noun
a compelling need or desire for food.
had been hungering
-
past perfect progressiveof hunger.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.
Her own audience, primed to look for conspiracy theories in the wake of a high-profile murder, had been hungering for Owens to challenge the widely accepted version of events.
From Slate ● Feb. 27, 2026
Federal marshals had been hungering for years to get involved—a new generation of proactive deputy marshals who combined street savvy with sophisticated electronic surveillance to track fugitives.
From Salon ● Feb. 24, 2013
They were proud, indeed, to have such a mighty hunter as one of themselves, and the man for whose blood they had been hungering was now treated with the utmost kindness and respect.
From Historic Tales, Vol. 1 (of 15) The Romance of Reality by Charles Morris
At last she saw the look of surprise and joy and relief that she had been hungering for; he knew her and he was beginning to understand.
From Jane Cable by George Barr McCutcheon
She nestled her head on my bosom as she told me what my heart had been hungering to know, and for the time we forgot our surroundings—forgot everything save our own happiness.
From The Birthright by Joseph Hocking
