tamp
verb (used with object)
to force in or down by repeated, rather light, strokes.
were tamping
-
past progressiveof tamp.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.
Within a few hours, U.S. and European officials were tamping down fears that this was a deliberate Russian attack.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 17, 2022
Response on Chinese social media was muted, suggesting censors were tamping down discussion.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 8, 2021
All over the city, farmers were tamping earth and leaves lightly over the vines; what was left looked like graves.
From New York Times ● May 11, 2020
On the next receding ledge, twelve feet above the old track level, a second crew were tamping a set of holes to be sunk twelve feet.
From The Daughter of a Magnate by Frank H. (Frank Hamilton) Spearman
