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

Restrictions have extended outside the classroom, with some teachers being fired or punished for criticizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his assassination.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
In 2022, Cunningham shared a message criticizing the participation of Lia Thomas in women’s college swimming and said athletes should have the opportunity to compete fairly.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticizing

Verb

But surprisingly, that anger has metastasized into actual antisemitism — not merely opposition to Israel’s government, but blaming Jewish Americans and contributing to antisemitic incidents, with physical assaults reaching record levels.

— Andrew Cuomo, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Last week, Ellison attempted a high-profile reputation reboot, extolling his love for movies and blaming politics for opposition to the deal.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of blaming

Verb

Bryant then claims that Cunningham's stance on female sports is comparable to Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem or denouncing the Fourth of July as sadistic.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Trump did strike some notes of unity, praising the Secret Service and denouncing political violence.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of denouncing

Verb

Baela calls her out on this, accusing her of simply using people as tools, and Baela and her dragon are confined to the Red Keep.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Robert Carradine's family is suing over his suicide, accusing a University of California Los Angeles facility of failing to prevent his death.

— Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of accusing

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impugned

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Style

“Impugning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugning. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of impugning

verb

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