stumble
verb (used without object)
to strike the foot against something, as in walking or running, so as to stagger or fall; trip.
had been stumbling
-
past perfect progressiveof stumble.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.
The Defence Safety Authority's Service Inquiry report, published in 2017, also stated that soldiers using live rounds had been stumbling about in the dark.
From BBC ● Nov. 21, 2022
Denouncing the company’s “flawed business model” and “broken” culture, Mr. Scharf acknowledged that the bank’s efforts to reform itself had been stumbling and incomplete — and said that was changing.
From New York Times ● Mar. 10, 2020
He pushed the board to recruit a star like Ms. Mayer to get people excited about a company that had been stumbling for years.
From New York Times ● Jun. 3, 2017
Some people had been stumbling when they tried to get up and walk.
From The New Yorker ● Sep. 5, 2016
Ever since, Frank had been stumbling around in a daze, barely able to function.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
