bet
verb (used with object)
to wager with (something or someone).
were betting
-
past progressiveof bet.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.
Many bond traders were betting on a hike and were wrong.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
Some on Wall Street were betting that the reported implosion of Situational Awareness, a high-flying hedge fund run by former OpenAI researcher Leopold Aschenbrenner, could mark a bottom for the AI trade.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
When the Iran conflict broke out a month ago, many professional investors were betting that it would be short-lived.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 30, 2026
The craze drove AMC’s shares up exponentially at a time when it looked like the Leawood, Kan.-based company might have been on its last legs, something many Wall Street professionals were betting on.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2025
Greg Lippmann’s people set it up for them, on the condition they not mention that they were betting against, and not for, subprime mortgage bonds.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
