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

Mamdani’s office posted an 88-second video criticizing Amazon’s use of the subcontractor model.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
The city’s Environment and Utilities Commission declined to recommend approval, criticizing officials for insufficient public outreach.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 13 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

The Motherland Party filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court, demanding its removal from the ballot, accusing Yabloko of copyright infringement and exceeding campaign spending limits.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Trump filed the lawsuit in December seeking $10 billion in damages from the BBC, accusing it of defamation as well as deceptive and unfair trade practices.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of accusing

Verb

Iran and Pakistan together have forced out millions of Afghans who sought refuge in those countries, effectively condemning the women and girls among them to suffer the Taliban’s persecution.

— Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Democratic socialist candidates have unseated more moderate incumbents in primaries in Colorado, Michigan and New York while condemning actions by the state of Israel.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of condemning

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impugning

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“Impugning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugning. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of impugning

verb

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