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

Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2026
McCain has often spoken out against the British royal family and Markle, in particular, routinely criticizing her on the Happy Hour talk series during the 2025 release of Markle’s docuseries With Love, Meghan.

— Mariel Turner, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticizing

Verb

Safal Prakash Shrestha/NurPhoto/Getty Protesters shouted slogans denouncing the police and government over alleged delays in taking action to find the missing girl, and then to find the perpetrators.

— Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Many actors have opened up about their experiences with Botox, with some denouncing the injectable.

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of denouncing

Verb

Piker then fired back at Scholten on social media, accusing her of seeking attention and attacking him over his opposition to Zionism.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
The two sides had been due to meet Monday for preliminary discussions for a possible settlement, but Bonta called off the meeting late Sunday, after accusing Paramount of misrepresenting details of an earlier meeting held on Friday.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of accusing

Verb

When asked whether Cunningham’s supporters had received fair treatment from the WNBA, Paxton stopped short of condemning the league.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
In addition to the payments, Harvard Medical School agreed to provide families with a statement condemning Lodge’s actions and summarizing improvements made to the Anatomical Gift Program.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of impugning

verb

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