improve
verb (used with object)
to bring into a more desirable or excellent condition.
had been improving
-
past perfect progressiveof improve.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 artist said that he had been improving as he received care at “the best hospital in the world down the block from me,” the Mayo Clinic.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2025
Before the incident, the quality of Boeing’s airplanes had been improving, according to agency officials at that time.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2025
Health minister Andrew Stephenson said survival rates across all types of cancer had been improving but the health service needed to go "further and faster".
From BBC ● Dec. 31, 2023
Many who knew Mr. Wright have said he was a man who had made mistakes but had been improving his life.
From New York Times ● Nov. 30, 2021
His wife, who had been improving under Dr. Manley's care, began to brisk up at once, and was quite certain of recovery when one afternoon they left Muirtown Station.
From Young Barbarians by Ian Maclaren
