starve
verb (used without object)
to die or perish from lack of food or nourishment.
were starving
-
past progressiveof starve.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.
I put it to Bismuth that he was denying the evidence of people's eyes, that children were starving.
From BBC ● May 6, 2025
The Chargers were starving for Dobbins’ playmaking and drive to turn the franchise around after years of mediocrity.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2024
Though she and her family were starving in the camps, she couldn’t bear to leave them for a man she did not know.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 12, 2023
The authorities approached Mr. Mackenzie’s property after they received a tip from residents about people who were starving on the land, according to Charles Kamau, the head of criminal investigations in Malindi.
From New York Times ● Apr. 24, 2023
My parents and I didn’t leave the hospital until like three in the morning, and we were starving by then.
From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
