decay
verb (used without object)
to become decomposed; rot.
had been decaying
-
past perfect progressiveof decay.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
The Regency home was the former residence of the first Governor of Australia, Lachlan MacQuarrie, but had been decaying for several years until the couple decided to try and convert it into a boutique hotel.
From BBC ● May 30, 2026
The small plaza in El Hatillo had been decaying for years, left as a dumping ground for trash before creation of the mural, and restoration efforts by local authorities.
From Washington Times ● Jan. 31, 2020
Silk-weaving had been decaying year by year in Manchester, and for hand-loom weaving, at any rate, there was no opening at all.
From The History of David Grieve by Mrs. Humphry Ward
The other was an old wooden barn-like house that had been decaying for years, and was only waiting to be torn down by some passing high wind.
From The Story of the Great Fire in St. John, N.B., June 20th, 1877 by George Stewart
Occasionally he caught a faint film of the smoke and fell to scolding at the Arab and wondering how long he had been decaying in that way.
From The Curious Republic of Gondour, and Other Whimsical Sketches by Mark Twain
