perish
verb (used without object)
to die or be destroyed through violence, privation, etc..
was perishing
-
past progressiveof perish.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.
As it seemed Notre Dame was perishing last night, I was heartbroken.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 16, 2019
It was perishing cold in France last week.
From Time Magazine Archive
A groan was the reply, and now Humphrey was horrified at the idea that somebody had fallen into the pit, and had perished, or was perishing for want of succour.
From The Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat
The world was perishing for want of a new faith: the new faith was here.
From Sunrise by William Black
Vice and war, and latterly taxation, had dried up the springs of prosperity, and even of population, till Rome was perishing for lack of men.
From The Arian Controversy by Henry Melvill Gwatkin
