IMPUGNING Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

impugning

verb

present participle of impugn

as in criticizing

formal to criticize (a person's character, intentions, etc.) by suggesting that someone is not honest and should not be trusted He impugned his rival's character. Her motives have been scrutinized and impugned.

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of impugning Ehlers’ duty as a public official includes upholding and respecting the legal process, not impugning it. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugning

Verb

Many have taken to the streets in towns and neighborhoods to protest the worsening situation, with roadblocks, tire-burning and residents holding up signs criticizing the government for not providing adequate solutions.

— Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments express strong disapproval of Pete Hegseth's plan to livestream an execution, criticizing it as inhumane and a historical low for the country.

— Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticizing

Verb

No commercial goods have entered the Gaza Strip for two days, Israeli authorities said Thursday, blaming the suspension on merchants angered by taxes imposed by the militant group Hamas — a claim that Palestinian importers deny.

— Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Guillard would go on to upload hundreds of videos blaming the professor, raking in millions of views.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of blaming

Verb

If the main predictor of racial disparities in prison is poverty, then denouncing police and prosecutors as racist won't shrink those gaps.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Before entering politics, Correa published papers denouncing dollarization and sketched a plan to unwind it.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of denouncing

Verb

Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the arrest Sunday on X, accusing Pulido Vargas of exploiting programs meant to provide essential supplies and housing.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
China criticized Lai’s speech, accusing him of disregarding facts and misleading the public.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of accusing

Verb

Also this month, Raskin and Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii introduced a resolution condemning book bans in school libraries and censorship that has targeted the Smithsonian and other public facilities.

— News Desk, Artforum, 9 Oct. 2026
Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders reacted by condemning the warrants as completely unjustified and a clear proof of the United Nations’ antisemitism.

— Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of condemning

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impugned

impugning

impugns

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“Impugning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugning. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impugning

verb

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