spare
verb (used with object)
to refrain from harming or destroying; leave uninjured; forbear to punish, hurt, or destroy.
have been sparing
-
present perfect progressiveof spare.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.
It is good that I have been sparing in my speech with her.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
It is ten years since I had a subsidy, in all which time I have been sparing to trouble you.
From Charles I Makers of History by Jacob Abbott
The Portugueze, from political motives, have been sparing in their accounts of it.
From A Narrative of the Expedition to Botany-Bay by Watkin Tench
Cato never seems to have been sparing of his own praise, and thought that great deeds required to be told in boastful language.
From Plutarch's Lives, Volume II by Aubrey Stewart
With this criticism we close our notice of "Say and Seal," in which we have been sparing neither of praise nor blame, earnestly thanking the authors for a book that is worth finding fault with.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 06, No. 33, July, 1860 by Various
