had been smarting
- past perfect progressive of smart.
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.
Fenleigh J., who had been smarting under that "Leave it till you've left school," chuckled with delight, and began to think that he liked Helen quite as much as Barbara.
From Soldiers of the Queen by Avery, Harold
Turned from it as he had been, smarting under the injustice and the pain, many a one would have haughtily refused to re-enter it, whatever might have been the emergency.
From Verner's Pride by Wood, Henry, Mrs.
To a couple of boys whose eyes had been smarting for days in the dusty glare, the country around seemed perfect in its beauty.
From The Peril Finders by Piffard, Harold
The officers and men of the 32d Ohio had been smarting under the false accusation of "Harper's Ferry cowards," and had longed for an opportunity of retrieving their reputation.
From Four Years A Scout and Spy by Downs, E. C.
She had been smarting under a sense of terrible humiliation ever since Mr. Copley's visit, but hitherto she had not wept.
From Name and Fame A Novel by Sergeant, Adeline
