had been exploiting
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past perfect progressiveof exploit.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
exploitnouna striking or notable deed; feat; spirited or heroic act.
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 Royal United Services Institute, a leading UK think tank, said Iran and North Korea had been exploiting small shipping registries for years.
From Barron's ● Dec. 2, 2025
The lab, based at the University of Toronto, shared its results with Apple, which has now fixed the flaws that NSO had been exploiting.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 18, 2023
Facebook famously sued NSO following the discovery that NSO Group had been exploiting a WhatsApp vulnerability.
From Slate ● Sep. 14, 2021
Up until 2014, the tech company had been exploiting a loophole in tax laws in the US and the Republic of Ireland known as the "double Irish".
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2017
For decades, Cuban elites and wealthy Americans had been exploiting the island, gobbling up the richest sugar farms, the most profitable utilities and casinos.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
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