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苦しんでいた

was suffering

→ 苦しむ
phrase Uncommon #12,744
was suffering Past progressive form of 苦しむ, meaning that someone was suffering or struggling over a period of time. Often used with に to indicate the cause of suffering.
JA: 患者たちは激しい痛みに苦しんでいた。
EN: The patients were suffering from severe pain.

彼女は痛みに苦しんでいた。

She was suffering from pain.

彼は痛がって苦しんでいた。

He was in pain and suffering.

彼はどう説明しようかと苦しんでいた。

He was agonizing over how to explain it.

奴隷たちは残酷な抑圧に苦しんでいた。

The slaves suffered under brutal oppression.

お腹が空いていたばかりでなく、私達は喉の渇きにも苦しんでいた。

Not only were we hungry, but we were also suffering from thirst.