grind
verb (used with object)
to wear, smooth, or sharpen by abrasion or friction; whet.
was grinding
-
past progressiveof grind.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Sparks veteran Dearica Hamby recognized how rehab was grinding down the rookie.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2025
The BBC reported from the trading hub of Guangzhou in mid-April that US-China trade was grinding to a halt, with exports to American households piling up on factory floors.
From BBC ● Apr. 30, 2025
“I was grinding my gears in terms of my mental health; I was pretty angry all the time. So I thought I’d give it a go.”
From Salon ● Jan. 28, 2025
When she worked in disaster zones, Powell would often notice that the basics of getting their lives back on track was grinding for the people she met.
From Slate ● Sep. 14, 2023
With hog lard I greased my boots until they were as soft as a hummingbird’s nest I was grinding my ax when Papa came around.
From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls
