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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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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugning
  1. criticizing
  2. blaming
  3. denouncing
  4. accusing
  5. condemning
Verb
  • Certainly there were clear taboos, beginning with questioning the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party and criticizing the country’s central leadership.
    — Howard W. French, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
  • After slogans criticizing the Sacramento State administration appeared in chalk on the facade of a 64-year-old campus building earlier this week, at least one student is now facing potential disciplinary action.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of criticizing
Verb
  • During the debate, both candidates seemed prepared to focus on the lack of affordability — namely by blaming the other’s political party for it.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The Variable To Watch This is, admittedly, a less exciting explanation than blaming the market.
    — Khalifa Aldhaheri, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 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
  • Don't be shocked if the liberals start accusing NBA legend Charles Barkley of being MAGA.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Decades later, in her 2026 memoir, Rinna opened up about her relationship with Kelker-Kelly, accusing him of being verbally abusive and manipulative toward her during their time working together, People reported.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of accusing
Verb
  • Every audience hears about the tweets from Michigan’s William Lawrence, condemning the nuclear family, and New York’s Darializa Avila Chevalier, about how July 4 should be about the liberation of Palestine and Puerto Rico.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Particularly, individuals on the Right are condemning the fraternity members being picked apart in the public court of opinion.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of condemning

Browse Nearby Words

impugned
impugning
impugns
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Cite this Entry

“Impugning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugning. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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