achieve
verb (used with object)
to bring to a successful end; carry through; accomplish.
were achieving
-
past progressiveof achieve.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.
While militarily, the Americans were achieving their objectives, as measured in Iranian ships, planes and targets destroyed and defence capabilities degraded, politically the conflict was far from resolved.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
When researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reviewed more than 300 AI initiatives, they found only 5% were achieving quantifiable value.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 8, 2025
“It felt like we were achieving a nice meshing with him. Musically and in terms of the way we worked together, it was a good chemistry and suddenly it was gone full stop.”
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 6, 2024
For an artist with a daring, theatrical sensibility, it was a retrograde pairing, as though Lindsey were achieving an element of surprise by playing against expectations.
From New York Times ● Oct. 18, 2023
The armies of the Confederacy were achieving success in nearly every encounter, while the North was making tremendous efforts to fill up the depleted ranks by enlarging the drafts.
From Life Gleanings by T. J. Macon
