perish
verb (used without object)
to die or be destroyed through violence, privation, etc..
were perishing
-
past progressiveof perish.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.
More than a dozen terrified people waded into a frigid reservoir, nearly succumbing to the cold while their neighbours were perishing in the heat.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 10, 2018
In 2004, some 460 migrants died, and by 2005, more than 500 people were perishing in the desert.
From Salon ● Mar. 23, 2013
Public opinion in England was strongly impressed by the fact that the Egyptian garrisons of Tokar and Sinkat were perishing within striking distance of the Red Sea littoral.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 1 "Edwardes" to "Ehrenbreitstein" by Various
I told him we were perishing for want of bread, and asked him to give me advice.
From Ghetto Comedies by Israel Zangwill
It is sad to think that whilst stock were perishing in multitudes abundant subterranean streams, flowing southward to discharge uselessly in the Great Australian Bight, might have been available to avert this national calamity.
From Our First Half-Century: A Review of Queensland Progress Based Upon Official Information by Queensland
