destroy
verb (used with object)
to reduce (an object) to useless fragments, a useless form, or remains, as by rending, burning, or dissolving; injure beyond repair or renewal; demolish; ruin; annihilate.
had been destroying
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past perfect progressiveof destroy.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.
After Coleman died, he said he had had to buy a new petrol can because squirrels had been destroying the other cans he had on site.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
They were from the Yanomami tribe, and the miners had been destroying their land — and their tribe — for years.
From New York Times ● Mar. 25, 2023
Harry has previously said he stepped back from his royal duties because the "toxic" British press had been destroying his mental health.
From Reuters ● Feb. 23, 2022
The agency had been destroying forfeited handguns under an ordinance passed in 1993.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 6, 2018
His pride, his conceit, had been destroying him.
From The Cathedral by Sir Hugh Walpole
