had been forestalling

• 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 forestall.
  forestall

  verb (used with object)

  to prevent, hinder, or thwart by action in advance.

Related Words

• anticipate
• avert
• deter
• hinder
• preclude
• prevent
• thwart