impugn

verb

Definition of impugnnext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impugn Trump appeared on The Larry Kudlow show on Monday, speaking on a wide array of topics, but spoke of Connecticut when the Fox Business host impugned the state’s election security. — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026 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. — 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 See All Example Sentences for impugn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugn
  1. criticize
  2. blame
  3. denounce
  4. condemn
  5. accuse
Verb
  • Vance has neither criticized his friend nor publicly nudged Carlson to temper what’s been harsh criticism of Israel — and Trump’s cultivation of the Netanyahu government.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • At an October debate, Bass pointed out that Raman, as chair of the city council’s housing and homelessness committee, had repeatedly approved spending on Inside Safe, the very program Raman now criticizes as expensive and insufficiently accountable.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • That set off the wave of youth protests that blamed the collapse on high-level corruption and cronyism during renovation work at the station.
    — JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Anything this pair does for the next several months that is not together will be scrutinized, dissected, interpreted, and ESPN can only blame itself.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of blame
Verb
  • Stevens and other Democrats urged him to go further to denounce the content of the advertisement rather than merely distance himself from it.
    — Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • More than anything, Swift’s masterpiece stands athwart Utopia and denounces the risky delusions of such a no-pace—for the most part.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of denounce
Verb
  • One of Iran’s most politically outspoken filmmakers, Panahi has been critical of the country’s leadership and condemned violence against anti-government protesters.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Opposition leaders condemned the prime minister's remarks, maintaining that the elections in Israel were free and fair and there was no evidence of election fraud.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of condemn
Verb
  • Kyiv has accused Russian forces of mining nearby roads and using the remaining residents as human shields to prevent Ukraine’s army from conducting offensive operations in the town.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The disaster triggered protests, with demonstrators accusing him of presiding over endemic corruption — and led to the creation of the Student List.
    — Guy De Launey, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of accuse

Browse Nearby Words

impudently
impugn
impugned
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Cite this Entry

“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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