waste
verb (used with object)
to consume, spend, or employ uselessly or without adequate return; use to no avail or profit; squander.
was wasting
-
past progressiveof waste.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.
The retired Canadian insurance adviser was 93, and "was wasting away" after a long battle with prostate cancer.
From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026
Marty Bryce felt like he was wasting his time as a lawyer—so he sought a new path.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 19, 2025
The coaches who once told her she was wasting her time couldn’t help but start to see her Olympic potential.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 7, 2025
This was opening night of The Quittin Time Tour, and the first of three sold-out shows here, and he was wasting no time pumping the audience into a frenzy.
From New York Times ● Mar. 6, 2024
Although Blaine was used to persistent office seekers, he became annoyed by this man who was wasting both his and the State Department's time.
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
