weaken
verb (used with object)
had been weakening
-
past perfect progressiveof weaken.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.
Going into the Iran war, labor markets had been weakening and central bankers had started to normalize balance sheets.
From Barron's ● Apr. 14, 2026
Jane Foley, managing director at Rabobank London, said the rouble had been "weakening progressively" this year, but added "the pace has picked up since late July".
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2023
The yen, which had been weakening alongside those advances in shares, stemmed its losses Wednesday.
From Reuters ● Dec. 29, 2021
Other MPs said it was necessary not to blame solely the leadership or Brexit but to acknowledge that the party’s hold over its northern heartlands had been weakening for some time.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 15, 2019
Then suddenly, in full volume of voice, the prosecutor flung at him the lance for which he had been weakening Joe’s defenses through those long and torturing hours.
From The Bondboy by Ogden, George W. (George Washington)
