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.
have been destroying
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present perfect progressiveof destroy.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
Unfortunately for the species' long-term survival, human beings have been destroying their habitat in a number of ways, from paving new roads and operating military bases to constructing utility plants and grazing livestock.
From Salon ● Apr. 25, 2024
In the neighbouring mountains on I-Tlang, Mizo farmers complain that Assam police have been destroying their crops from early June.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2021
But ever since European settlement, Americans have been destroying them with trees.
From Slate ● May 25, 2020
Q: The Bucks have been destroying their opponents this season, so close games have been few and far between.
From New York Times ● Mar. 11, 2020
He intimated that we have been ruthlessly squandering our natural internal resources almost as riotously and as blindly as our lumbermen have been destroying the natural physical resources of the country.
From Half-Hours with the Idiot by John Kendrick Bangs
