destroy
verb (used with object)
to reduce (an object) to useless fragments, a useless form, or remains, as by rending, burning, or dissolving; injure beyond repair or renewal; demolish; ruin; annihilate.
were destroying
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past progressiveof destroy.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.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet told AFP in February that scam centres were destroying his country's economy and giving the nation a bad name, vowing to "clean this out".
From Barron's ● Apr. 3, 2026
“The Soviet view was that they were destroying classes,” Lee argued.
From Slate ● Dec. 13, 2023
In 2013, a new class of chemical refrigerants—used to cool everything from homes to freezers—replaced the ones that were destroying the ozone layer.
From Science Magazine ● Dec. 11, 2023
Weinstein has long argued that real estate capital and luxury developments were destroying Los Angeles neighborhoods by displacing residents.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2023
My chest tightened with a surge of unexpected anger at the way my countrymen were destroying their own land.
From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini
