had been tarnishing

• 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 tarnish.
  tarnish

  verb (used with object)

  to dull the luster of (a metallic surface), especially by oxidation; discolor.

Related Words

• damage
• defame
• dim
• dull
• embarrass
• harm
• hurt
• impair
• mar
• muddy
• pollute
• smear
• spoil
• stain
• sully
• taint
• tar