had been denigrating

• 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 denigrate.
  denigrate

  verb (used with object)

  to speak damagingly of; criticize in a derogatory manner; sully; defame.

Related Words

• besmirch
• defame
• disparage
• impugn
• slander
• vilify