inhale
verb (used with object)
to breathe in; draw in by breathing.
were inhaling
-
past progressiveof inhale.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.
“If she were inhaling steam that was like 120 degrees Fahrenheit, imagine that in the back of your throat,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
There has been a relationship of those miners getting lung cancer, because they were inhaling some of the radioactive gas that was coming off.
From The Verge ● Feb. 19, 2019
If you’ve ever had anyone walk in to your cubicle as you were inhaling a Quarter Pounder with Cheese and say, “I didn’t know anyone ate fast food anymore,” congrats: You’ve been food shamed.
From Time ● Jul. 11, 2015
Workers were inhaling the tissue, causing a previously unknown neurological disorder.
From BusinessWeek ● Dec. 5, 2013
A cold blast of wind pulled at our backs, as if the entire pit were inhaling.
From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan
