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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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
U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugning
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
The headline-splashing arrest came after LaBeouf claimed to be sober, blaming past abusive behavior on alcoholism.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
-
Frustration, because too much of the public conversation defaults toward blaming parents while failing to grapple honestly with the cultural shift in our society that is shaping these gatherings.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Unlike the polished restraint of traditional beauty advertising, her monologue denouncing ageism is unfiltered and unapologetic.—
Alison Bringé,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
