wipe
verb (used with object)
to rub lightly with or on a cloth, towel, paper, the hand, etc., in order to clean or dry the surface of.
were wiping
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past progressiveof wipe.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.
Some were wiping away tears before they even walked into the room.
From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026
Americans were wiping down packages with disinfectant while debating the benefits of wearing masks.
From Washington Times ● Feb. 11, 2022
His arrest in April 2020 came early in the pandemic, when there was still uncertainty over how the coronavirus spread, and as many people were wiping down their groceries and emptying stores of disinfectant.
From New York Times ● Oct. 6, 2021
I thought I did a really good job there too, and I'm pretty sure they were wiping away tears when I was leaving.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2016
Ten Snow and Angeline were wiping tears from their eyes.
From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich
