relax
verb (used with object)
to make less tense, rigid, or firm; make lax.
had been relaxing
-
past perfect progressiveof relax.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.
Indeed, some workers were upset that their employers had been relaxing policies on masking and other pandemic-related measures.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 30, 2021
Shakiro and Patricia had been relaxing at a roadside eatery, waiting for grilled meat, when the officers approached, their lawyer said.
From Washington Post ● May 15, 2021
Obscenity standards had been relaxing for decades by that point, with a variety of court rulings offering conflicting decisions on the definition.
From Time ● Sep. 8, 2017
At the Bataclan five months earlier, when I had met him, he had been relaxing with a drink, in his "civvies".
From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2017
They watched as Marie rose heavily from where she had been relaxing, reentered the cabin, and disappeared into the dark interior.
From "Son" by Lois Lowry
