surprise
verb (used with object)
to strike or occur to with a sudden feeling of wonder or astonishment, as through unexpectedness.
had been surprising
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past perfect progressiveof surprise.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.
He noted, however, that inflation data had been surprising “in a bad way” and that continued higher core inflation could push him to think a three-quarter-point move would be needed.
From New York Times ● Jul. 29, 2022
The story has generated a lot of publicity for the relatively unknown group, who formed last year, which the singer admitted had been surprising.
From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2012
The effect of his appearance had been surprising.
From The Man Who Laughs by Victor Hugo
Certainly the luck of the "Blue Boar" had been surprising.
From The White Feather by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
It appeared that Tom had striven assiduously both to learn his business and to improve himself; and, having considerable abilities, already brightened and sharpened by Louis, his progress had been surprising.
From Dynevor Terrace: or, the clue of life — Volume 1 by Charlotte Mary Yonge
