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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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
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
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The couple has been targeted by a group called Boycott Divest Zabludowicz, which criticizes them for supporting a pro-Israel lobby.
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That letter, referenced in the Brandeis Center complaint, criticizes the APA for failing to discipline a former division president, Lara Sheehi, for various incendiary comments about Zionism.
Verb
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The nonprofit blames the lack of progress on government red tape and diminishing federal funding to provide subsidies and incentives.
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Industry, like tobacco companies, turns a blind eye to the problem, continues its mass production to achieve maximum profit and blames the consumer for bad choices.
Verb
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Hezbollah denounces the deal as a threat to Lebanese sovereignty, while Israeli leaders vow not to cede ‘a millimeter’ until the group is fully disarmed.
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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.
Verb
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Iran may also be wary of attacks by the exiled Mujahadin-e Khalq (MeK), which Iran accuses of carrying out attacks inside Iran over several decades.
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The Department of Justice accuses Yale of illegally favoring Black and Hispanic applicants, citing its interpretation of the 2023 Supreme Court ban on race-conscious admissions.
Verb
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Victim's mother condemns domestic violence In a statement, Beaver's mother, Susan Beaver, said domestic violence affects too many families.
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Olson went on to say that the Holy Father, like his predecessors, consistently condemns acts of terrorism, including those sanctioned by Iran and its surrogates in the Middle East.
Cite this Entry
“Impugns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugns. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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