hustle
verb (used without object)
to proceed or work rapidly or energetically.
were hustling
-
past progressiveof hustle.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.
Police were on their way, and unarmed security guards were hustling visitors to the exits.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025
Inside, customers were glued to their phones, while the baristas were hustling behind the counter, hurriedly making drinks or warming up food.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2025
Some had vague information — from relatives, social media, smugglers — about coming border policy changes by the United States government and were hustling to make it to that distant border.
From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2023
Some had vague information - from relatives, social media, smugglers - about coming border policy changes by the United States government and were hustling to make it to that distant border.
From Washington Times ● May 9, 2023
From there she saw that the two guards were hustling the mayor back through the door of the Gathering Hall.
From "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau
