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

After the comments section was flooded with messages from Instagram users criticizing the timing of the post, Kim added an additional comment with an explanation.

— Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
The standoff follows a broader White House campaign criticizing Smithsonian exhibitions and historical framing, while Secretary Lonnie G.

— George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of criticizing

Verb

The student protest started on June 6, demanding the resignation of India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, blaming him for the exam paper leaks that happened in May.

— Priyanka Salve,Raksha Murali, CNBC, 23 July 2026
But a troll sent Gray a nasty message after a different game, and Armour suddenly had enough concern about player safety to write an entire column blaming Clark.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of blaming

Verb

The Times has since issued a statement denouncing the subpoenas.

— Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026
During Democratic presidencies, which the DSA mostly spends denouncing the occupant of the Oval Office as a sellout, Democratic loyalists have less patience for factional complaints.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026

Definition of denouncing

Verb

Kelli stays strong as Shamea’s last standing soldier, accusing the other women of trusting a known liar.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 20 July 2026
In Kenya, the names and addresses of staff at reproductive rights organizations have been published online, accusing them of murder.

— Monika Pronczuk, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of accusing

Verb

Over the past month, more than 900 people signed an online petition condemning the project as too big and intrusive for the nearby area.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026
Speakers also explored the intersection between faith and democratic values, condemning discriminatory law enforcement practices and cutbacks of voting rights.

— Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of condemning

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“Impugning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugning. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of impugning

verb

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