wail
verb (used without object)
to utter a prolonged, inarticulate, mournful cry, usually high-pitched or clear-sounding, as in grief or suffering.
had been wailing
-
past perfect progressiveof wail.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.
All of Ivan’s brothers looked up now, and the two who had been wailing silenced abruptly.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
Oh, there had been wailing and gnashing of teeth, indeed!
From The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
On days when he had been wailing, he did not sing.
From The Sayings Of Confucius by Leonard Arthur Lyall
She looked significantly at Frank's wife, who had been wailing through Hanging Rock the woeful plight of her dead father-in-law's family.
From The Price She Paid by David Graham Phillips
