spare
verb (used with object)
to refrain from harming or destroying; leave uninjured; forbear to punish, hurt, or destroy.
were sparing
-
past progressiveof spare.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.
Do you feel like you were sparing people?
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 19, 2024
He added that the developers of Ernie Bot were sparing no effort to ensure the chatbot was made available as early as possible.
From Reuters ● Feb. 22, 2023
“But they were willing to listen to me. They were sparing with praise, but always willing to encourage.”
From Time ● Apr. 9, 2014
From their point of view, it was an act of compassion; they were sparing their daughter the discomfort of puberty.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 11, 2011
But of their water they were sparing and took only enough to moisten their dry mouths.
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
