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

These days, the Ambassador has to handle a different set of challenges such as handling the fallout when the boss criticizes the British Prime Minister on social media.

— Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
One candidate promises to lower gas and grocery prices and criticizes the incumbent for not doing so (as if politicians can control the market).

— Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticizes

Verb

However, a Haitian source who is familiar with the issue, blames Green for the delays.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
The American Entertainment Alliance blames the current state of industry consolidation on the end of the FCC’s Financial Interest & Syndication Rules more than 30 years ago.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of blames

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

Biggs, the Republican nominee to lead the state, accuses the Democratic incumbent of sowing unnecessary alarm.

— Hannah Knowles The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
In response, Cathcarts plays a voice note from the night before in which Carla accuses Morgan of not caring about Gabe.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 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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Style

“Impugns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugns. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impugns

verb

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