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
This is a political tactic of the most crude sort, making no effort to refute an argument but to instead impugn the motives of those making it, along with the assumption that people with white skin can always and forever have only suspect motives.
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Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Cohen still got disciplined for lack of diligence, impugning the qualifications and integrity of a judge, and engaging in conduct that’s prejudicial to the administration of justice.
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David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
9 Feb. 2026
So the markets are the ultimate arbiter of over whether the Fed’s independence is being impugned.
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NBC news,
18 Jan. 2026
Paltrow gives a curiously pulseless performance that might have impugned some of her blossoming star power had Hush opened when it was supposed to.
—
Matthew Jacobs,
Vulture,
25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impugn
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Cohen still got disciplined for lack of diligence, impugning the qualifications and integrity of a judge, and engaging in conduct that’s prejudicial to the administration of justice.
—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
9 Feb. 2026
So the markets are the ultimate arbiter of over whether the Fed’s independence is being impugned.
—
NBC news,
18 Jan. 2026
Paltrow gives a curiously pulseless performance that might have impugned some of her blossoming star power had Hush opened when it was supposed to.
—
Matthew Jacobs,
Vulture,
25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impugn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugn
Verb
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The program posed a massive political problem for Mamdani, who’s been criticized by both his allies and opponents for his stance.
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While state studies have criticized the state’s education governance model, voters have rejected at least four attempts dating back to 1928 to reform the position.
Verb
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Before the earthquakes, the government generally defended its national health system as robust, blaming shortcomings on sanctions imposed by the United States.
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This ruling compels companies to confront systemic biases embedded in their hiring data, rather than solely blaming technology.
Verb
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Activists and faith leaders denounced the conditions at the office during a press conference the previous day, calling on officials to visit the facility and said there had been bad conditions at the facility for weeks.
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Prosecutors call Hearn’s actions a deliberate, violent act causing more than $1,000 in damage, and his attorneys denounce the case as an alarming misuse of government power.
Verb
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Eight of the primary winners who condemned the Gaza conflict were backed by American Priorities, a new pro-Palestinian super PAC supporting candidates who have been critical of Israel’s military actions.
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Lot is often described in the Qurʾān, and in subsequent interpretive traditions, in the role of condemning the men of Sodom for lusting after men rather than women.
Verb
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Officials accused her in the letter of violating the university’s time, place and manner policy, which sets rules on free speech activities on campus.
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On Monday, Republicans accused the majority party of continuing to saddle the state government with debt and Californians with high taxes and costs of living.
Cite this Entry
“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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