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.
It wasn’t like we were stepping into a role in this smash hit show.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026
The visit comes after police recently told the BBC they were stepping up patrols following attempts by smugglers to target the Belgian coast, away from the main launch sites in France.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026
After the attacks, California military bases and others throughout the U.S. were stepping up security measures.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 2, 2026
Their revelation that they were stepping down sparked a huge reaction online and also shocked contestants, with stars on the latest series telling me "no one saw it coming".
From BBC ● Dec. 24, 2025
He had broken his back, someone said, but there was nothing anyone could do, and now men were stepping over him with their blankets and bolsters, and others were jostling to go up.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
