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 case drew national attention and became racially charged, with supporters of Anthony criticizing the lack of Black jurors and calling for his acquittal, while supporters of the Metcalf family gathered outside the courthouse seeking justice.

— James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
The contest’s website has been flooded with memes and pro-Palestine messages criticizing Sheeran.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of criticizing

Verb

But the Palestinian leader lamented that the second phase of this plan has not materialized, blaming the lack of progress on his Israeli counterparts.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Sep. 2026
Trump had previously called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop strikes on Russian oil targets, blaming him for the rising diesel prices around the world.

— Miles J. Herszenhorn, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of blaming

Verb

French President Emanuel Macron delivered a briefing to the candidates running to succeed him so disturbing that even the far-right National Rally’s leaders emerged denouncing Russian hybrid attacks.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
El-Sayed's campaign sent a reporter a question asking if Rogers, given his comments about denouncing terrorists, planned to publicly denounce the remark.

— Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of denouncing

Verb

Diplomats and rights advocates are condemning Turkey’s crackdown on LGBT organizations and individuals, and protesters demonstrated Friday outside Turkish missions in the United States and Europe.

— Mohamad El Chamaa, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2026
The two rituals have unfolded in parallel since the Christian church’s pastor, Sarah Lucas, preached a sermon condemning Arapaho ceremonial ways.

— Savannah Peters, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of condemning

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impugned

impugning

impugns

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Style

“Impugning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugning. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of impugning

verb

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