start
verb (used without object)
to begin or set out, as on a journey or activity.
was starting
-
past progressiveof start.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.
A ceremony for the attack’s 25th anniversary was starting, and he had come in quietly, head down, free from the fanfare that usually follows the surging Senate candidate.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
Djokovic becoming more animated in the early part of third set was a surefire sign he was starting to feel more like his old self - although not for too long.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026
As violence was starting to subsume Costa Rica, in 2022, Rodrigo Chaves stepped into the presidency and made cracking down on crime the centerpiece of his administration.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
At the same time Transit was starting out in Northern California, a pair of not-married friends in Los Angeles saw the same possibilities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
Maybe I was starting to realize that we were cornered, and Samir had gotten lucky one too many times.
From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri
