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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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
U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugning
Verb
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In March, Warren led the Massachusetts delegation in a letter to the State Department criticizing the administration’s lack of preparation in terms of evacuating Americans and pressing for answers on its response.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
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The agreement was immediately challenged in Kenya’s High Court, with opponents criticizing it for unfavorable terms.—
Larry Madowo,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Both pledge to end negotiations, blaming Petro’s approach for weakening the state and emboldening armed groups.—
Catherine Ellis,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
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On the eve of a federal jury trial, Toyota has settled a lawsuit blaming it for the fatal carbon monoxide poisoning of an Atlanta man, the AJC’s Rosie Manins reports.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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The song, and its accompanying video featuring Bryan dancing on a dock, was ripped online, and launched a string of comments denouncing the track — about, yep, fishing and hunting, golfing and drinking — as the product of a large language model.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2026
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Unlike the polished restraint of traditional beauty advertising, her monologue denouncing ageism is unfiltered and unapologetic.—
Alison Bringé,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The candidates also piled on Steyer for his past investments in fossil fuels and private prisons, and for his current holdings in offshore private equity funds, accusing him of trying to buy his way into office.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
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The peculiar race has generated controversy, with Republicans accusing Democrats of encouraging the candidacy to siphon votes from the incumbent.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Other countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt also issued statements condemning the attacks and expressing support for Kuwait.—
Kyla Guilfoil,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
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Moskowitz has been one of the most outspoken members of Congress in condemning the rise of antisemitism coming from members of either party, and in support of Israel, issues that are deeply personal to him.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impugning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugning. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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