vie
verb (used without object)
to strive in competition or rivalry with another; contend for superiority.
had been vying
-
past perfect progressiveof vie.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.
Until now, Belgium and Chile had been vying to host the future organization.
From Barron's ● Jan. 17, 2026
It was widely reported she had been vying for the foreign secretary role, but instead remains as Leader of the House of Commons, the job that ensures government legislation gets through Parliament.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2022
Despite my gaping “Glee” blind spot, I was aware that Michele had been vying for years to star in the first full-fledged Broadway revival of “Funny Girl.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2022
Minnesota had been vying for a playoff spot coming down to the last weeks of the season.
From Fox News ● Dec. 27, 2021
These four sons had been vying for supremacy since the beginning of time; the history of the universe was mainly a record of their endless struggle.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
