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
Some of the officials involved have embraced a tactic of impugning Goldberg as a strawman diversion from the real controversy.
—
Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Berman stressed that the investigation itself does not impugn Montoya or Bay FC.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 7 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
Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Berman stressed that the investigation itself does not impugn Montoya or Bay FC.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 7 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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Some council members have criticized the proposal, citing a lack of communication and calling the move premature.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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So far, the league’s response has been not to fix the issue but, instead, to levy fines against players and coaches who criticize refs.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Some of their struggles can be blamed on a tough slate of defenses.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Real leadership requires a basic understanding of facts and a desire to do more than just blame others.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The age of the Ayatollahs After the fall of the Shah in January 1979, the nascent Islamic Republic denounced his aggressive modernization drive inspired by the West.—
Nik Kowsar,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
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In a previous statement to Fox News Digital, UNC denounced political violence and vowed to investigate Dixon’s involvement in the organization.—
Julia Bonavita , Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On October 7, 2023, as a terrorist army invaded Israel intending to commit genocide against the Jewish people, many world leaders rightly condemned Hamas’ murder, rape, and slaughter of Israelis and foreign nationals.—
Ofir Akunis,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
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In some cases, bold new projects have ended with buildings being returned to their previous states and uses, others remain uncompleted, and an unfortunate few have been condemned to be demolished.—
Alberto Piernas Medina,
Architectural Digest,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Campbell has accused the SCORE Act of disadvantaging these groups while coddling the NCAA.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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Tate has been accused of assaulting at least four 14 and 15-year-old boys, but police believe that there could be more victims and are encouraging parents to speak with their children to see if they were harmed.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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