stare
verb (used without object)
to gaze fixedly and intently, especially with the eyes wide open.
had been staring
-
past perfect progressiveof stare.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.
"I had been staring at this fossil for a while," Bhullar said.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 30, 2026
It also saved activist hedge funds targeting the Tylenol maker that had been staring down huge losses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2025
An esteemed lawyer, Mr Collaery had been staring down a possible jail sentence for helping to expose allegations of Australian wrongdoing in East Timor.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2022
Vice had been staring down big cash payments to TPG as part of a $450 million investment that the private equity firm made a few years ago.
From New York Times ● Jul. 27, 2021
Harry had been staring down the packed Gryffindor table, wondering if the new owner of Riddle’s diary was right in front of his eyes.
From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling
