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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One of the most notable examples came when former MVP James Harden publicly criticized then-Houston Rockets executive Daryl Morey after Morey's support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong triggered a backlash from Chinese officials and business partners.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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Trump harshly criticized Powell throughout his tenure as chair, frequently attacking the Fed’s interest-rate decisions and urging the central bank to cut borrowing costs more aggressively.—
Leah Willingham,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Eighty percent of voters cited corporate profits as a top driver of high drug prices, and 73% blamed executive compensation.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
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Trump has blamed his predecessor for many of the nation’s immigration problems.—
Sheldon Jacobson,
Twin Cities,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Three days ago, the Arnoun Municipality denounced Israeli bombing in the area and urged international organizations to protect the castle, NNA reported.—
Kareem El Damanhoury,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
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That document, which waded into the political and economic debates of the time, denounced the excesses of the Gilded Age and pointed toward a more just social order.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Powell denied any wrongdoing and condemned the investigation as an effort to influence Fed policy.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
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The decision was condemned by numerous other Democrats in the state and the Colorado Democratic Party voted to censure Polis as a result.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Accompanying the violence, both the Naxals and the security forces – including local militia raised to combat the rebels – have been accused of horrific human rights abuses, including abductions, torture and rape.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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In power since 1994, he has been accused of flagrant human rights violations against his critics, wiping out opposition and independent media.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Verb
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It was appealed by Lifton and the PCFB and Blakeman’s ability to cure was frozen due to the appeal.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
29 May 2026
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Louisiana appealed to our court and sought a stay pending appeal.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impugned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugned. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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