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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 impugned
But the Pentagon’s representatives seemed to feel impugned.
—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 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
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 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
-
Last season during a livestream, Nacua criticized NFL officials and made a gesture regarded as antisemitic.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Canada's Prime Minister and Quebec's legislature criticized the CEO for the language lapse.—
Allison Lampert,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The composer John Kander blamed Minnelli’s fitful acting career on the appetites of her fan base.—
Matt Weinstock,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Republicans blamed Democrats for blocking efforts to fully fund DHS.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In an interview with public radio station France Inter on Monday morning, Bagayoko said he was disappointed that the presidential palace had not condemned the comments, although Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and Culture Minister Catherine Pégard both denounced them.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Outside the courthouse in Manhattan, small groups of supporters have denounced the trial as illegitimate.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Castro family has been lauded as heroes by some, but condemned as repressive by others.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Ben Saul, UN special rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, has condemned both US and Iranian threats to target civilian energy infrastructure.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Over the course of two weeks, two Laurel Highlands teachers were arrested after being accused of having inappropriate relationships with students.—
Ricky Sayer,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Her lover, Cavaradossi, is accused of helping an enemy of the state, and is framed by a corrupt and violent police chief, Baron Scarpia.—
Courtney Lewis,
Florida Times-Union,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
