as in criticized
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 impugned
Hoover may have decided that, if Liuzzo’s character could be sufficiently impugned, then any potential backlash to the Bureau’s connection to an incident involving the murder of a married white mother could be avoided.
—
Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
So the markets are the ultimate arbiter of over whether the Fed’s independence is being impugned.
—NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
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
Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
So the markets are the ultimate arbiter of over whether the Fed’s independence is being impugned.
—NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugned
Verb
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Chinese state media criticized the H20 for lacking technological prowess and being environmentally unfriendly, with regulators eventually halting imports over security concerns.—
Joe Toscano,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Liston questioned why Pretti was carrying a handgun — which appeared to be removed from its holster by an officer just before the shooting — and Baisley criticized Minneapolis’ local leadership and immigrants without proper legal status.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When Seattle gave up 38 points in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5, Macdonald blamed himself for overloading the defensive game plan.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Democrats think Trump is only engaging because of his sagging poll numbers and his sensitivity to getting blamed for another shutdown.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As Carlson was being denounced by various conservatives for sitting down with Fuentes, the President defended him.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
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Stephen Maturen / Getty Images In Colorado, lawmakers denounced the shooting.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Columbia University's new president is already facing opposition from anti-Israel rabble-rousers, who have condemned her for previous actions taken against leftist encampments at her last college.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Two former Democratic presidents yesterday condemned the scenes in Minnesota following the killing of Alex Pretti this weekend.—
Karen Cortes,
NBC news,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The men referenced in the files have vehemently denied any criminal association with Epstein, including after the latest release on Friday, and the president has never been accused of wrongdoing by law enforcement.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
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The strikes, which came a day after Israel accused Hamas of new ceasefire violations, hit multiple locations throughout Gaza, including an apartment building in Gaza City and a tent camp in Khan Younis, officials at hospitals that received the bodies told the Associated Press.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Gilbert appealed Wilson’s ruling; however, in December 2024, a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel turned down Gilbert’s appeal, per Courthouse News Service.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
8 Oct. 2025
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The White House appealed to the Supreme Court, and now the high court has agreed to examine the appeal.—
Danielle Kurtzleben,
NPR,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impugned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugned. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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