recover
verb (used with object)
to get back or regain (something lost or taken away).
had been recovering
-
past perfect progressiveof recover.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 Michigan survey’s sentiment index bounced near historic lows last year, but before this month, it had been recovering since November.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 13, 2026
Before the confrontation with police, Lauren had been recovering from cancer treatment and a hysterectomy in March.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 3, 2025
GfK's Consumer Confidence Index had been recovering after years of rolling crises, higher interest rates and inflation gradually creeping up.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2024
Mr. Navalny was given a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence in February 2021 after returning to Russia from Germany, where he had been recovering from being poisoned the previous August.
From New York Times ● Feb. 16, 2024
Late one afternoon came a telegram from Filmington-on-Sea, where Aunt Wilshire had been recovering her temper in a boarding-house after a round of visits in Yorkshire and the moorlands.
From Mr. Britling Sees It Through by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)
