had been chiding

• past perfect progressive

  past perfect progressive

  Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.

  of chide.
  chide

  verb (used with object)

  to express disapproval of; scold; reproach.

Related Words

• admonish
• berate
• blame
• castigate
• censure
• condemn
• rebuke
• reprimand
• reproach
• scold
• upbraid