had been defrocking

• 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 defrock.
  defrock

  verb (used with object)

  to deprive (a monk, priest, minister, etc.) of ecclesiastical rank, authority, and function; depose.

Related Words

• abuse
• chastise
• correct
• crack down on
• discipline
• dismiss
• execute
• expel
• fine
• harm
• hurt
• incarcerate
• sentence