had been overcoming

• 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 overcome.
  overcome

  verb (used with object)

  to get the better of in a struggle or conflict; conquer; defeat.

Related Words

• conquer
• crush
• overpower
• overwhelm
• reduce
• stun
• surmount
• survive
• weather
• win