IMPUGN Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

impugn

verb

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 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 The duel did not happen because a Parisian layman’s jury ruled that Drayton couldn’t legally say he was impugned by Mr. Borrowe, so Drayton instead fled Europe by buying passage on the steamship Majestic at Liverpool. —

Alexis Nedd, IndieWire, 2 July 2025 Who suspected the argument would impugn the motives and integrity of the artists who made it? —

Armond White, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025 Berman stressed that the investigation itself does not impugn Montoya or Bay FC. —

Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impugn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugn

Verb

No less than a half-dozen GOP senators publicly criticized the Department of Justice for investigating Powell over Hill testimony last year about the Fed headquarters’ renovation.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Last week, Graham Knaus, the chief executive of the California State Association of Counties, criticized Newsom’s budget for not responding to the cost burdens shifting to local governments.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026