economize
verb (used without object)
to practice economy; avoid waste or extravagance.
were economizing
-
past progressiveof economize.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.
Yes, even in the midst of the Great Recession, customers were economizing on Starbucks, but not on more expensive brews.
From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2015
Theresa’s salary was barely enough; they were economizing less stringently than before, but still had to watch their expenses.
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
We were economizing our ammunition and did not, according to our custom, fire a warning shot, but as we drew near the steamer we suddenly saw dark, round objects thrown overboard.
From The Journal of Submarine Commander von Forstner by Georg-Günther, Freiherr von Forstner
They were economizing as they never had before: yet the time had come when disaster really stared them in the face, unless they could find a true friend.
From Hope Mills or, Between Friend and Sweetheart by Amanda Minnie Douglas
Furthermore, there is abundant evidence that the Turks were economizing ammunition, especially big gun shells.
From The Story of the Great War, Volume III (of 8) History of the European War from Official Sources by Francis J. (Francis Joseph) Reynolds
