claw
noun
a sharp, usually curved, nail on the foot of an animal, as on a cat, dog, or bird.
were clawing
-
past progressiveof claw.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.
Shares were clawing back losses from the previous session after closing down 5.7% on Tuesday.
From Barron's ● Mar. 4, 2026
The Spurs led 86-70 going into the fourth but the Blazers were clawing back in it.
From Fox News ● Dec. 3, 2021
The losers still were clawing at the end as Sam Jones hit a bank-shot jumper to cut the margin to a point with a second left.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2021
Mr. Seabrook plays the guitar with a sharp and scratchy attack, as if he were clawing the notes off the instrument’s wooden surface.
From New York Times ● Jun. 1, 2017
An ugly rock stood defiantly against the sea with five jagged spires projecting from it, as though a hand were clawing its way out.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
