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.

It wasn’t so long ago that book publishers and bookstore owners were quailing about the coming of ebooks, like movie theater owners at the dawn of the television age.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2022

He has been a quailing, simpering paragon of mediocrity.

From Washington Post • May 10, 2021

Instead, lawmakers, quailing at the union’s opposition, decided only that civilians may be included on the boards — which, in practice, is unlikely to happen.

From Washington Post • Aug. 10, 2016

Oh, no, the quailing spirit wails, not another Rocky clone, not another inspirational fable to feed false dreams of glory among the little guys.

From Time Magazine Archive

Hermione added hastily, quailing under Harry’s furious stare.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling