stop
verb (used with object)
to cease from, leave off, or discontinue.
were stopping
-
past progressiveof stop.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.
In the process, the chain’s most loyal customers were stopping by stores less frequently, executives said during McDonald’s earnings call on Tuesday.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026
Some migrants were stopping cars in the road to ask for food, money or to use mobile phones to call their families, AFP reporters said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
“Washington’s clearest nonproliferation wins against Iran in the war were stopping all uranium enrichment at declared facilities and entombing enriched uranium stockpiles,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
"People were stopping in the middle of the road to unload their bags," she said.
From BBC ● Mar. 20, 2025
There was a bicycle-race on, the Tour du Pays Basque, and the riders were stopping that night in San Sebastian.
From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway
