simmer
verb (used without object)
to cook or cook in a liquid at or just below the boiling point.
had been simmering
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past perfect progressiveof simmer.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.
But the tension in the stands that had been simmering from before kick-off spilled over.
From BBC ● Jan. 28, 2024
But discontent had been simmering for months in one of the poorest countries in the world.
From New York Times ● Jan. 18, 2024
The embarrassing defeat drove home a point that had been simmering all season: USC desperately needed to get bigger, stronger and deeper up front.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2023
Tensions between the city's Black community, its political establishment and, especially, its police force had been simmering for years.
From Salon ● Dec. 31, 2021
But since Brad had shipped out and Katie had moved back in, the tension in our house had been simmering just below the boiling point.
From "Ungifted" by Gordon Korman
