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
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
The school board argued that Pickering’s statements were false and that the reputation of the district and its employees had been impugned.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for impugn
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
The school board argued that Pickering’s statements were false and that the reputation of the district and its employees had been impugned.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for impugn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugn
Verb
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Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father and a physician, criticized the medical establishment for being closed-minded about treatments recommended by non-physicians.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Glendon Hall, who leads the Miami Beach Black Affairs Advisory Committee, criticized the police at the time.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While viral videos often blame everything from breakouts to dullness on air conditioning alone, Jafari says the reality is less dramatic.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Jones blames that impasse for kicking the financial stability of TSA officers like a football.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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During his first Palm Sunday address, the pontiff denounced those who use God to justify war and urged prayers for peace, particularly for those suffering in the Middle East.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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During his inaugural Palm Sunday address, the pontiff denounced those who use God to justify war and urged prayers for peace, particularly for those suffering in the Middle East.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Although Ukrainian forces intercepted roughly 90% of the incoming drones, Zelenskyy condemned the bombardment as Russia's direct response to Ukraine's proposal for an Easter ceasefire.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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The statement did not condemn the kidnapping or express concern.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The suit also accused Michel, Esformes and others of admitting elderly patients from ALFs owned by Michel and Esformes to Larkin for medically unnecessary treatment paid for by Medicare and Medicaid.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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The decision to hire independent, outside counsel comes after two district employees were arrested last month, both accused of inappropriate relationships with students.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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