bestow
verb (used with object)
were bestowing
-
past progressiveof bestow.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.
“Go enjoy the weather,” the foreman said, as if he were bestowing the good weather upon us.
From The New Yorker ● Sep. 3, 2018
“This is a gay figure, Pip,” said she, making her crutch stick play round me, as if she, the fairy godmother who had changed me, were bestowing the finishing gift.
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
He turned to Bailey, touched the top of his head with the pointer as if he were bestowing knighthood.
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
My intent is not to honor these passages as if I were bestowing a prize, nor to hold them up as models for you to emulate.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
When the Senate were bestowing praise upon him, he said, "But I cannot praise you, who left a prætor in danger and did not come to his help."
From Plutarch's Lives Volume III. by Aubrey Stewart
