tumble
verb (used without object)
to fall helplessly down, end over end, as by losing one's footing, support, or equilibrium; plunge headlong.
were tumbling
-
past progressiveof tumble.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.
All over the world, incumbents were tumbling in the wake of the pandemic, and he was among the first of them.
From Salon ● May 31, 2026
Shares of ServiceNow were tumbling 17% to $85.19 on Thursday and were on pace for their largest percentage decrease on record, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
From Barron's ● Apr. 23, 2026
Carter had emerged from the Democratic National Convention in July with a wide lead over Ford, Nixon’s vice president and successor, but by the time of the Playboy interview in September, his numbers were tumbling.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 29, 2024
When these revelations were tumbling towards us the whole time, there was a real jeopardy about the prime minister's future.
From BBC ● May 19, 2022
Dead palm fronds were tumbling across the soccer field out back.
From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith
