swell
verb (used without object)
to grow in bulk, as by the absorption of moisture or the processes of growth.
had been swelling
-
past perfect progressiveof swell.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.
If Dasani were to describe — in a figurative way — what happens on Jan. 8, 2016, she would say that her anger had been swelling like a giant cloud.
From New York Times ● Sep. 28, 2021
Peking's population had been swelling with people fleeing as parts of China fell to the Japanese.
From BBC ● Jan. 7, 2019
Her hands had been swelling and turning purple, her joints hurt and she was losing her hair.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 11, 2016
My hands clenched at my side, all of the anxiety and distrust that had been swelling up inside of me over the past few hours coming to a head.
From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken
All this time it had been swelling, much to the gratification of its boastful citizens,—getting busier, getting richer, getting dirtier.
From One Woman's Life by Robert Herrick
