waste
verb (used with object)
to consume, spend, or employ uselessly or without adequate return; use to no avail or profit; squander.
had been wasting
-
past perfect progressiveof waste.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.
Scott began to believe he had been wasting his time.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 2, 2016
But a funny thing happened as I lost weight: I realized how much mental energy I had been wasting.
From Slate ● Oct. 19, 2011
Dr. Hans Selye concluded sadly that he had been wasting his time.
From Time Magazine Archive
The pensive young man looked as though he had suddenly realized he had been wasting precious mortal minutes and had better drive home while there was still time.
From Time Magazine Archive
I really had been wasting my time here.
From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline
