amass
verb (used with object)
to gather for oneself; collect as one's own.
were amassing
-
past progressiveof amass.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.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday the United States had seen no indications that Hezbollah militants were amassing on the border to potentially attack Israel.
From Reuters ● Oct. 16, 2023
For the first 13 years that they were amassing works, he and his wife tried to remain anonymous, naming the Leiden Collection after Rembrandt’s birthplace, rather than after themselves.
From New York Times ● Mar. 2, 2023
While Russian troops were amassing on the border, Razom’s board decided that in the event of an invasion, it would focus on medical assistance.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 23, 2022
At the time, tens of thousands of Afghans were amassing daily around Kabul’s airport in a desperate search for flights out of the country.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 26, 2022
They were amassing honor beads by doing it.
From Winona of the Camp Fire by Margaret Widdemer
