spoil
verb (used with object)
to damage severely or harm (something), especially with reference to its excellence, value, usefulness, etc.: Drought spoiled the corn crop.
was spoiling
-
past progressiveof spoil.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.
And he objected to the idea that he was spoiling anything.
From New York Times ● Nov. 9, 2022
Food inside the refrigerator was spoiling and there were few restaurants and stores open in the area.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 2, 2022
Rather than engage with workers during the toughest economic conditions in decades, O'Grady said the government was "spoiling for a fight".
From Reuters ● Jun. 29, 2022
"I had this idea of this 70-year-old woman who was spoiling for a fight, but I think she carried those things because she was scared."
From BBC ● May 27, 2022
Being in that house was spoiling the hope of what life should offer.
From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos
