trample
verb (used without object)
to tread or step heavily and noisily; stamp.
had been trampling
-
past perfect progressiveof trample.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 Capitals had been trampling the competition since the calendar turned to 2017, but they got a reminder Tuesday that they’re not invincible.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 24, 2017
Just round the angle of the stairs two steps were dirty and stained, as if dirty feet had been trampling upon them for some time.
From The Young Buglers by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty
A moment ago it had been trampling to mud the tenderest feeling of the past; it was now eagerly alive with the feeling of the present.
From The History of David Grieve by Mrs. Humphry Ward
You had been trampling the pride of his life in the mud: no man likes that—my father least of any.
From Basil by Wilkie Collins
He and William Todd had been trampling down the elder-bushes, and returning to the house, found Minnie alone on the porch.
From The Gentleman from Indiana by Booth Tarkington
