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

Mamdani’s office posted an 88-second video criticizing Amazon’s use of the subcontractor model.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
The city’s Environment and Utilities Commission declined to recommend approval, criticizing officials for insufficient public outreach.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticizing

Verb

People shooting them too far forward and then blaming the cartridge, maybe.

— Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
But blaming the technology risks obscuring the fact that humans write the code, select the data on which AI systems are trained, approve their use, and decide where and how they are deployed.

— Shaun Harper, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of blaming

Verb

Curtis’ office, and created online petitions denouncing Kurv’s industrial plan, garnering more than 1,000 signatures.

— Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Initially, diplomats assigned to the region sought to counter Bukele’s growing influence by sharply denouncing his anti-democratic impulses.

— Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of denouncing

Verb

The Motherland Party filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court, demanding its removal from the ballot, accusing Yabloko of copyright infringement and exceeding campaign spending limits.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Trump filed the lawsuit in December seeking $10 billion in damages from the BBC, accusing it of defamation as well as deceptive and unfair trade practices.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of accusing

Verb

Iran and Pakistan together have forced out millions of Afghans who sought refuge in those countries, effectively condemning the women and girls among them to suffer the Taliban’s persecution.

— Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Democratic socialist candidates have unseated more moderate incumbents in primaries in Colorado, Michigan and New York while condemning actions by the state of Israel.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of condemning

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“Impugning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugning. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of impugning

verb

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