Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While Omnicom and IPG were ironing out their merger in lawyers’ offices across Manhattan, smaller agencies outside the city were making their own expansions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 17, 2026
The two were ironing out details for a memorial celebration for their mother, who had died of COVID-19.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2021
While her pageant-girl peers were ironing ringlets into their hair and painting on blush, Carlile was trying to channel Elton John, drowning in a man’s white polyester suit bedazzled by her mom.
From New York Times ● Apr. 1, 2021
On the walls to either side of the stove and within reaching distance were ironing boards that folded down from the wall itself.
From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep
"Now let us take the wash-stand," her aunt went on, after she had passed her hands all over the bed as though she were ironing it, leaving it as smooth as a nice white table.
From A Little Housekeeping Book for a Little Girl Margaret's Saturday Mornings by Benton, Caroline French
