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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impugn
For example, opposition forces, led by Lee, have ruthlessly attacked the first lady, stirring mass protests and impugning her character.
—
Victor Cha, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
And all this week, Trump’s White House has savaged the reputation and impugned the integrity of Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, whose accidental inclusion on the national-security adviser’s group chat became the basis of Signalgate.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 27 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
Victor Cha, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
And all this week, Trump’s White House has savaged the reputation and impugned the integrity of Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, whose accidental inclusion on the national-security adviser’s group chat became the basis of Signalgate.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 27 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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The late pope criticized both laissez-faire capitalism and state-centric socialism, giving shape to a distinctly Catholic vein of economic teaching.—
Nicole Winfield,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
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Several Democratic members of Congress criticized her firing.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Economists are clashing over whether the $20 wage is to blame.—
Natasha Chen,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
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In October, the gang was blamed for killing more than 70 people in Pont-Sondé, the biggest massacre in Haiti’s recent history.—
Dánica Coto,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
Verb
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The decision was immediately condemned by transgender rights activists contacted by Reuters.—
Phil Stewart,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
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Long been derided as tacky, commercial non-art, sitcoms with background laughter over the years have been condemned as a dystopian form of joke mind control.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
9 May 2025
Verb
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The narcissistic parent might also guilt trip the child for expressing their feelings, thoughts, or needs—accusing them of being too demanding or overwhelming, annoying, or stressing them out, even when a child clearly needs help or comfort.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
15 May 2025
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Bailey, 25, accused the rapper born Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr. of physical, emotional, verbal and financial abuse in a restraining order request filed May 13 in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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