as in to criticize
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 impugn
Some of the officials involved have embraced a tactic of impugning Goldberg as a strawman diversion from the real controversy.
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Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Berman stressed that the investigation itself does not impugn Montoya or Bay FC.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
Rather, it is being used to impugn Baldoni's character and demonstrate malicious intent on his part.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
The issue here is not to impugn the individual Catholics who are decent people and who contribute to a more just society.
—Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impugn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugn
Verb
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No less than a half-dozen GOP senators publicly criticized the Department of Justice for investigating Powell over Hill testimony last year about the Fed headquarters’ renovation.—
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Last week, Graham Knaus, the chief executive of the California State Association of Counties, criticized Newsom’s budget for not responding to the cost burdens shifting to local governments.—
Verb
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Many blame homeless persons for the problem, while others point to professional haulers who use the streets as a place to dump refuse to avoid disposal fees.—
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Ground beef price spike is blamed on several factors, most prevalent weather and drought.—
Verb
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The most bitter exchange came when Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, denounced Rubio’s role in gutting humanitarian aid.—
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Trump has repeatedly denounced Powell for alleged overspending tied to the central bank's renovation.—
Verb
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But leaders in Minneapolis have disputed this claim and condemned the ICE agent’s actions.—
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Press freedom groups condemned the FBI’s search of a Washington Post reporter’s home as part of a leak investigation Wednesday.—
Verb
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Kiefer Sutherland accused of assaulting top fashion designer Two years after his DUI arrest, Sutherland was dealt misdemeanor charges over an alleged altercation involving Proenza Schouler designer Jack McCollough.—
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The bill specifically targeted local jails holding people accused of civil violations.—
Cite this Entry
“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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