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 deal would effectively nationalize an industry Belgium had spent years trying to phase out.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Pelley, who had spent 37 years at CBS, said Wednesday that executives didn’t offer suggestions that could lead to a resolution and were “openly hostile” from the start of their meeting the prior evening.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Like many of those who died, Javed had spent years working abroad to support his family back home.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Muir, additionally, pointed to a recent Axios report that one company had spent $500 million in a single month because no limits had been placed on employee Claude usage.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026

He had spent the first half of third grade under the tutelage of a teacher named Mr. Carbine, who had leavened the civics lessons with fun facts about presidents.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman