swallow
verb (used with object)
to take into the stomach by drawing through the throat and esophagus with a voluntary muscular action, as food, drink, or other substances.
were swallowing
-
past progressiveof swallow.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.
Floodwaters were swallowing her remote mountain community and Ms. Stamper, along with her mother-in-law, Ethel Stamper, 94, needed to get out, immediately.
From New York Times ● Jul. 29, 2022
They were made in such huge volumes that eventually their manufacture had to be restricted because they were swallowing up valuable supplies of metals.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2021
By 7.30, it felt as if I were swallowing two pillows and a duvet, so I phoned my daughter, who lives next door.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 4, 2016
Perry seems straitjacketed by Chris' pidgin English, his mouth forming around his lines as though he were swallowing Swedish meatballs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2015
I knew, of course I knew, that the Captain was not a spy, but as I read, it felt as though I were swallowing an icicle.
From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson
