Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Fernald told me over the telephone that the promise of new houses by summer or fall at the latest was buoying up the courage of all those who had suffered from this terrible disaster.
From Ted and the Telephone by William F. (William Frederick) Stecher
Both he and Suzanne were naturally depressed at moments, at other moments preternaturally gay, for he was varying between joy and fear, and she was buoying him up.
From The "Genius" by Theodore Dreiser
He had forgotten himself and his past; the new existence was buoying him up again.
From The Hills of Refuge A Novel by Will N. (Will Nathaniel) Harben
