spare
verb (used with object)
to refrain from harming or destroying; leave uninjured; forbear to punish, hurt, or destroy.
had spared
-
past perfectof spare.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
Anabel Cano thought cancer had spared her after she underwent a mammogram in the Spanish region of Andalusia.
From Barron's ● Nov. 26, 2025
The couple tended to ignore evacuation warnings for fires and tsunamis — disaster had spared their home before and they expected it would again, Chinen said.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 26, 2023
God, he said, had spared Ghana from conflict that had afflicted many countries, including some of its West African neighbours, who have been dealing with numerous security challenges.
From BBC ● Feb. 18, 2023
Somehow a global disease that has killed more than 6 million people, and is still causing untold suffering, had spared me the worst of its misery.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2022
He had had a very hard time indeed to persuade the King, but he had spared no pains.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
