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had been defending

  • past perfect progressive of defend.

Example Sentences

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The rupee has been under pressure since the central bank allowed it to breach 88.80 in November—a level it had been defending since October, said Michael Wan, senior currency analyst at MUFG.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 3, 2025

Two law firms that had been defending him against lawsuits by Dominion and Smartmatic quit last fall.

From Seattle Times Feb. 21, 2024

Gen. Rob Bonta’s office, which had been defending the state in the case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 21, 2023

Consul-General Zheng Xiyuan said his staff, including himself, had been defending themselves after protesters had stormed the grounds in an unprovoked attack.

From Reuters Nov. 21, 2022

For six months, the 586th Regiment had been defending strategic positions in their dangerous solo Yak fighters and the 588th Regiment had been harassing German troops with bombs dropped from their flimsy Po-2s.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein