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

The Action Button has proved somewhat controversial since its release, with users on social media like Reddit criticizing its placement and sensitivity.

— Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026
Raman pledged during her campaign to replace McDonnell, criticizing his handling of protests against federal immigration enforcement and arguing that his leadership had damaged trust in the department, particularly among immigrant communities.

— Teresa Liu, Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of criticizing

Verb

Agents who recognize their gaps, strengthen their skills and adapt early will be in a different position from those who spend the year blaming the market.

— Ran Biderman, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Shortly after the Republicans suffered historic losses, Vice President JD Vance issued a postmortem blaming Iran, inflation and Israel.

— Editorial, Boston Herald, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of blaming

Verb

Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry and other NBA stars largely avoided criticizing China during the controversy, despite frequently denouncing the state of America.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
His town halls have a distinctly populist pitch to voters denouncing money in politics.

— Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of denouncing

Verb

Senate Democrats are accusing Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, of giving prediction market Polymarket preferential treatment.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
El-Sayed took particular offense to an outside group’s ad accusing him of disrespecting women.

— Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of accusing

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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 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of impugning

verb

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