use
verb (used with object)
to employ for some purpose; put into service; make use of.
was using
-
past progressiveof use.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.
“I was using Riefenstahl to point out, or so I thought, that these heroes and heroines were straight out of Nazi propaganda,” Verhoeven told The Guardian in 2018.
From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2026
Celeste’s family attorney, Steinfeld, questioned the move in a statement, alleging the singer was using his companies to shield money he earned from his music career and had moved assets to his mother.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
By summer 2025, Russia was using hundreds of the drones at a time in nighttime salvos.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
He said I was using him to fix up my house.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026
Alexander had brought his compass and was using it to determine the orientation of the stage.
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
