had been wresting

• 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 wrest.
  wrest

  verb (used with object)

  to twist or turn; pull, jerk, or force by a violent twist.

Related Words

• exact
• extort
• extract
• seize
• usurp
• wrench
• wring