strengthen
verb (used with object)
to make stronger; give strength to.
had been strengthening
-
past perfect progressiveof strengthen.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.
Senior Canadian officials also said Canada had been strengthening legislation to combat money laundering and adding resources to fight it.
From New York Times ● Jul. 10, 2021
He said the country had been strengthening its rules over time.
From US News ● Apr. 4, 2016
The focus had been strengthening the attack and increasing the creativity, even if Mario Mandzukic had gone and the departure of Arda Turan hurt.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 7, 2015
Caddy had a superstition about me which had been strengthening in her mind ever since that night long ago when she had lain asleep with her head in my lap.
From Bleak House by Charles Dickens
It confirmed me in a desire that for some time had been strengthening in my mind.
From Captain Canot or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver by Brantz Mayer
