had been wincing

• 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 wince.
  wince

  verb (used without object)

  to draw back or tense the body, as from pain or from a blow; start; flinch.

Related Words

• back off
• blanch
• cower
• cringe
• flinch
• grimace
• recoil