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
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
The duel did not happen because a Parisian layman’s jury ruled that Drayton couldn’t legally say he was impugned by Mr. Borrowe, so Drayton instead fled Europe by buying passage on the steamship Majestic at Liverpool.
—Alexis Nedd, IndieWire, 2 July 2025
Who suspected the argument would impugn the motives and integrity of the artists who made it?
—Armond White, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025
Berman stressed that the investigation itself does not impugn Montoya or Bay FC.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impugn
U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2025
The duel did not happen because a Parisian layman’s jury ruled that Drayton couldn’t legally say he was impugned by Mr. Borrowe, so Drayton instead fled Europe by buying passage on the steamship Majestic at Liverpool.
—Alexis Nedd, IndieWire, 2 July 2025
Who suspected the argument would impugn the motives and integrity of the artists who made it?
—Armond White, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025
Berman stressed that the investigation itself does not impugn Montoya or Bay FC.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impugn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugn
Verb
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Public health experts also criticized the president for making unfounded claims about highly politicized health issues.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Trump has criticized the selection of Bad Bunny, and rock band Green Day, to perform at the Super Bowl.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cuban officials have said existing US economic sanctions are largely to blame for the energy crisis, although critics also fault a lack of government investment in infrastructure.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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But Connecticut Republicans — along with some Democrats — have for a long time blamed the lack of ample gas supply for the region’s high energy costs.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rojas was never treated by a physician while at El Helicoide, where human rights groups have denounced cases of cruel, inhuman treatment and torture.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
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In a 2024 reflection on Hurricane Maria, which leveled parts of Puerto Rico and left many without power for months, Bad Bunny denounces the government's role in the chaos that ensued after the Category 4 storm swept through the island.—
Luis Giraldo,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The couple saw major flood damage during the same set of storms, with a wall collapsing and the house later condemned by the city.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
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In an internal memo last year, Prasad wrote that the streamlined method would no longer be permitted – leading more than a dozen former FDA commissioners to pen an editorial condemning the statements.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Groft was accused of cutting down 12 trees, as well as sawing the limb off a 13th, across a seven-day period beginning April 13 — sometimes in broad daylight, other times in the dead of night.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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Lively accused Baldoni and his associates of having waged a retaliatory smear campaign against her.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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