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
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
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Some North Natomas residents have criticized the project, which is getting underway during a heated re-election campaign for Councilmember Lisa Kaplan, who represents the area.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
16 Mar. 2026
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The report card project has been criticized by several Jewish campus groups as over-simplified and unnuanced, but schools are taking it seriously.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The company blamed the understaffing and dangerous conditions on industry-wide challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Trump has blamed the strike on Iran and said that the country possesses and uses Tomahawk missiles.—
Ramon Padilla,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Numerous Democratic lawmakers denounced Carr’s threat as a page straight out of an autocratic playbook.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
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Biss, who is Jewish, has denounced AIPAC, but has disclosed meeting with the group towards the start of his campaign.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The state government on Sunday condemned the attack and said the security agencies are implementing measures to intensify surveillance and reinforce security presence across vulnerable communities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
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And after some listeners condemned Rozos’ comments, the university withheld his diploma.—
Jonathan Zimmerman,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On Friday, the Afghan Taliban government accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes in Kabul, the country's capital, and other areas in eastern Afghanistan, saying at least six civilians were killed and 15 other were injured.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
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The kerfuffle occurs after Democratic candidates of color accused state party leaders of trying to oust them from the race in favor of white candidates, who have more support in opinion polls.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 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 18 Mar. 2026.
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