witness
verb (used with object)
to see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception.
were witnessing
-
past progressiveof witness.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.
Combined with other observations, including its exceptionally high temperature, the measurements led the researchers to conclude that they were witnessing a star being ripped apart and swallowed by a black hole.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026
The mixture of satisfaction, excitement and sheer bewilderment that Neill wore in the first dinosaur scene in “Jurassic Park” was so effective that it made viewers feel like they, too, were witnessing something beyond imagination.
From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2026
Tourists from Europe and Asia could see they were witnessing something real—a functioning human organism moved by a shared spirit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026
In the immediate aftermath of Washington's extraordinary actions, Sir Keir's words could hardly have been more bland given the gravity of what we were witnessing.
From BBC ● Jan. 6, 2026
Oppenheimer, who could tell they were witnessing a theatrical display of military authority, was unfazed.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
