realize
verb (used with object)
to grasp or understand clearly.
was realizing
-
past progressiveof realize.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.
"The key insight was realizing that you don't actually want to push the system into the deepest possible valley," says Robert Riggleman, Professor in CBE and co-senior author of the paper.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 15, 2026
What really struck me in that moment was realizing that only six months earlier, Zohran had been polling at 1 percent and was a candidate no one thought would go very far.
From Slate ● Nov. 12, 2025
I put it on the little flatbed, and I was realizing, “How am I going to get this home?”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2024
All that took was realizing most of the guys that I love are not good guitar players, but they are their own thing.
From Salon ● Feb. 11, 2023
He paused then, and inhaled sharply, as if he was realizing something.
From "Paper Towns" by John Green
