spring
verb (used without object)
to rise, leap, move, or act suddenly and swiftly, as by a sudden dart or thrust forward or outward, or being suddenly released from a coiled or constrained position.
was springing
-
past progressiveof spring.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.
Next door, an even higher-security prison was springing up: the super-max “Alcatraz of the Rockies” for terrorists, mob bosses, drug lords and other dangerous felons.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 9, 2022
When he moved, Chile was springing back from the global financial crisis, and there were plenty of jobs for immigrants.
From New York Times ● Sep. 27, 2021
Hanks’s research trip makes perfect sense in this light: the actor wanted to see the circumstances from which his lawyer character, Donovan, was springing the boys.
From Forbes ● Dec. 16, 2014
Last night, Diesel was springing about 10ft tall, showing up to the London premiere of Guardians in high-tech stilts and an "I am Groot" T-shirt.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 31, 2014
Already it was getting cold and a bit of a chill wind was springing up.
From "My Brother Sam is Dead" by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
