stagnate
verb (used without object)
to cease to run or flow, as water, air, etc.
had stagnated
-
past perfectof stagnate.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
But the ILO warned that efforts to improve global job quality had stagnated, leaving hundreds of millions of workers wallowing in poverty, even as trade uncertainty risked cutting into workers wages.
From Barron's ● Jan. 14, 2026
Veronica herself had stagnated emotionally and was still struggling with long-standing trust issues.
From Salon ● Feb. 11, 2025
The Trojans thought coach Lincoln Riley would resurrect a recruiting process that had stagnated during the Clay Helton regime.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 25, 2023
Volkswagen announced last week that its sales in China had stagnated this year, running 14 percent below expectations.
From New York Times ● Nov. 28, 2022
Back in Detroit, the labor war had stagnated, with each side accusing the other of failing to communicate.
From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom
