shine
verb (used without object)
to give forth or glow with light; shed or cast light.
were shining
-
past progressiveof shine.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.
Meanwhile, all the hallmarks of a Vrabel-coached team were shining through.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 2, 2026
At the time, the then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson said those sanctioned were "shining a light" on "gross human rights violations" in China.
From BBC ● Jan. 30, 2026
When he turned around, people about a hundred feet away were shining their headlamps in his direction and shouting, “Bear!”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2025
They may never be spotted directly—although NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, which by looking far away can see back to the times when they were shining, may get lucky.
From Science Magazine ● Dec. 21, 2023
His eyes were shining with excitement, but in decency he pulled up his rock, and then he pulled up his basket of oysters and lifted them in.
From "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck
