toil
noun
hard and continuous work; exhausting labor or effort.
were toiling
-
past progressiveof toil.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.
England, despite being in control, were toiling against the 10-man Czechs, who had seen danger man Pavel Sulc sent off after only 25 minutes for a reckless challenge on Elliot Anderson.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
The group worked in SL1001, a bland building with a blue glass facade betraying no sign that dozens of lawyers inside were toiling to protect the interests of one of the world’s most influential companies.
From New York Times ● Dec. 5, 2023
Then the ground shook and a plume of smoke emerged over the Androscoggin Mill in Jay, where about 200 workers were toiling away.
From Washington Times ● Apr. 18, 2020
Simon Yates launched his first big move when the riders of the Giro d’Italia were toiling up the slopes of Mount Etna.
From The Guardian ● May 14, 2018
In the boiler room, the men took turns manning the pumps to keep the water out, but they knew they were toiling for nothing.
From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong
