resist
verb (used with object)
to withstand, strive against, or oppose.
had been resisting
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past perfect progressiveof resist.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But before the U.S. launched its airstrikes, the Gulf governments had been resisting the prospect of a U.S. attack, fearing that it could provoke a regional conflict that would envelop them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 6, 2026
The White House had been resisting a US Supreme Court order from April to "facilitate" his return after he was sent to a mega-jail in El Salvador alongside more than 250 other deportees.
From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2025
Prosecutors said the man — Terry Laffitte — had been resisting, so they deemed the shooting lawful.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 17, 2023
Mr. Umerov, a member of Ukraine’s Parliament from the progressive Holos party, dismissed the notion that the Ukrainians had been resisting constructive talks.
From New York Times ● May 17, 2022
So he decided to act on advice he had been resisting for years: he outlined his speech, tailored it to his audience, and memorized what he wanted to say.
From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden
