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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The treatment of many Minnesota residents by ICE and CBP agents, which resulted in, among other things, the very public killing of Good and Alex Pretti, both US citizens – has been roundly criticized.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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It might also be criticized for saying nothing about whether any or all of that money should be rebated to the countries that paid the money and the companies that experienced price increases for their products as a result of higher tariffs.—
Cal Thomas,
Arkansas Online,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The post, which was later deleted, was blamed on a staffer.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
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About 100 deaths were blamed on that devastating storm across the entire East Coast.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The United Nations has denounced the consequences of the fuel shortage stemming from these policies, which have compromised everything from food production to medical care to waste disposal.—
Maydeen Merino,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Feb. 2026
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Imprisoning journalists The decree has been denounced by Fondasyon Je Klere/Eyes Wide Open Foundation, the Committee to Protect Journalists and the human rights arm of the Organization of American States.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There are times when being condemned to Hell really gets under my skin.—
David Sedaris,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
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The African Union, which includes 55 member states on the continent, condemned the attack Sunday and called for the release of abducted women and children.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump originally accused the bank of trade libel and violating state and federal unfair and deceptive trade practices.—
Ken Sweet,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Islamabad has long accused Kabul of harboring the TTP, which Kabul denies.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 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 28 Feb. 2026.
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