IMPUGNS Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

impugns

verb

present tense third-person singular of impugn

as in criticizes

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 impugns Harbour wants to explain his side of a tabloid story that impugns not just his relationship with a colleague, but his professionalism. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 June 2026 None of this impugns Moskowitz’s or Fry’s motives. — Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 1 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugns

Verb

The piece also criticizes media and academic discussions that portray Latino men and Latinas as politically opposed blocs.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
The Bolsonaro reaction Flávio Bolsonaro, by contrast, criticizes Brazilian democratic institutions – particularly the Supreme Court and the electoral system – as obstacles to restoring the country’s political order.

— Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of criticizes

Verb

As the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises proceed, North Korea denounces them as invasion rehearsals, launches missiles and vows stronger deterrence, even as analysts say scaling back drills could weaken long-term allied readiness.

— Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
The project denounces Haiti’s justice system through the story of a woman imprisoned for years without trial and later judged not by law, but by scripture.

— Lise Pedersen, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026

Definition of denounces

Verb

Hamas has denied trying to carry out attacks or rebuild its arsenal and accuses Israel of undermining the Gaza peace deal.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
OpenAI accuses top Chinese lab of distilling models OpenAI on Wednesday accused Moonshot of wide-scale distillation to improve its own models, as competition intensifies between Washington and Beijing to build the most advanced tech.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of accuses

Verb

The documentary condemns The Swan for manufacturing reality, while offering its own more morally satisfying reality.

— Danielle Pergament, Allure, 29 Sep. 2026
The government silences critics, shuts down free press and condemns other political parties.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of condemns

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impugning

impugns

impuissance

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“Impugns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugns. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impugns

verb

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