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
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
Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugned
Verb
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However, in the years since, the study has been criticized and cited as a major reason for existing stigma against hormone therapy.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
10 Nov. 2025
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Morton has been criticized by the fan base for the lack of efficiency from this offense.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Suharto blamed the coup on communists, ousted then-President Sukarno – the country’s first post-independence leader – and sanctioned a hunt for those responsible.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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Delhi was the target of blasts during the 1980s and 1990s, with public places such as bus stations and crowded market areas hit in attacks blamed on Islamist militants or on separatists from the northern Sikh state of Punjab.—
Shivam Patel,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Critics denounced the arrests as baseless.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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During the McCarthy period, Robeson’s passport was lifted, he was denounced as a traitor, and his career was destroyed.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Miss Universe Organization has since condemned the behavior and limited Itsaragrisil's role in the competition.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
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The ramp, situated near the Green Line’s Central Station, was condemned by the city in April 2025.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The pageant director accused Bosch of skipping promotional activities, including a photoshoot that all contestants were expected to share on social media.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
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Bovo’s administration accused him of lying to the media.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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 14 Nov. 2025.
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