wade
verb (used without object)
to walk in water, when partially immersed.
was wading
-
past progressiveof wade.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.
At age 25, Birutė Galdikas, the Canadian anthropologist, was wading through swamps riddled with parasites and leeches trying to catch a glimpse of orangutans, or, as she describes them, “survivors of Eden.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025
But here is the thing: Chappelle knew he was wading into dangerous waters when he started his segment.
From Slate ● Nov. 23, 2022
She was as comfortable sharing the stage with Billie Holiday as she was wading through the crowds that gathered for her annual “homeless” Christmas party in Westchester.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2022
Terrell was wading in the stream that flows over Rainbow Falls when she lost her footing.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 24, 2018
The Galluzzos’ had always been my second home, but as I moved through the kitchen toward the back porch, I felt oddly slow and awkward, like I was wading through a pool of water.
From "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds
