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.

Indigenous peoples in South America had been popping corn for millennia, but it didn’t reach the U.S. until the 19th century, when whalers returned from South America with the whole grain in tow.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Jason had been popping up occasionally at the homes of relatives and his girlfriend, never staying long.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2024

Since March, research studies and treatment centers had been popping up across the country to help unravel Covid’s long-term mystery.

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2021

I made the mistake of answering a friend on Twitter who had been popping off.

From Slate • May 11, 2018

In the meantime, from their positions on the ground, the others had been popping away at the enemy.

From The Boy Allies with the Cossacks Or, A Wild Dash over the Carpathians by Hayes, Clair W. (Clair Wallace)