cry
verb (used without object)
to utter inarticulate sounds, especially of lamentation, grief, or suffering, usually with tears.
were crying
-
past progressiveof cry.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.
"People were crying, calling out for their parents," she wrote.
From BBC ● May 31, 2026
"Valieva's back," her fans celebrated on social media, some saying they were "crying with happiness".
From Barron's ● Jan. 30, 2026
When Disney canceled the plan in 2023, “some people were screaming with joy and others were crying because they had bought a house,” said former Imagineer David Kalbeitzer, who’s now a producer and consultant.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 10, 2026
And after the film, I thanked them and we took pictures and they were crying.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2025
“But sometimes? Sometimes, you remember every detail. Sometimes they are so real that if you were laughing in your dream, you wake up laughing. And if you were crying, you wake up crying.”
From "Betty Before X" by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson
