were scenting

• past progressive

  past progressive

  Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.

  of scent.
  scent

  noun

  a distinctive odor, especially when agreeable.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

were scenting

The adults were looking around, and then the woman put the monkey down, and it began to cast this way and that on the grass as if it were scenting or looking for footprints.

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman

The Major's fighting blood had stirred within his grandson's veins, and generations of dead Lightfoots were scenting the coming battle from the dust.

From The Battle Ground by Glasgow, Ellen Anderson Gholson

But in this particular he labored under a complete delusion—when he least dreamed of danger the slave-catchers were scenting him close.

From The Underground Railroad A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters, &c., Narrating the Hardships, Hair-Breadth Escapes and Death Struggles of the Slaves in Their Efforts for Freedom, As Related by Themselves and Others, or Witnessed by the Author. by Still, William

They were scenting something, but were too tired to display the usual animation of the chase.

From My Attainment of the Pole by Cook, Frederick A.

Our trail was warm, and we knew they were scenting it on a run.

From The Rifle Rangers by Reid, Mayne

Related Words

• aura
• bouquet
• essence
• odor
• perfume
• spice
• whiff