perspire
verb (used without object)
to secrete a salty, watery fluid from the sweat glands of the skin, especially when very warm as a result of strenuous exertion; sweat.
was perspiring
-
past progressiveof perspire.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Andrew denied his accuser’s claim he was perspiring when they first met because he had “a peculiar medical condition, which is that I don’t sweat.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2022
Dressed in a summer suit, he was perspiring slightly when John entered the room, wearing a black cowboy outfit that included an embroidered shirt and wide-brimmed hat.
From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2020
It was a hot day, and Foos was perspiring.
From The New Yorker ● Apr. 4, 2016
When I stepped on the mound, I was perspiring all over and tight as a drum.”
From New York Times ● Oct. 9, 2015
General Peckem was perspiring freely as he lunged for the other telephone.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
