as in to criticize
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impugn
The issue here is not to impugn the individual Catholics who are decent people and who contribute to a more just society.
—
Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
Targets often accuse short sellers of impugning their reputation for financial gain.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
For example, opposition forces, led by Lee, have ruthlessly attacked the first lady, stirring mass protests and impugning her character.
—Victor Cha, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
And all this week, Trump’s White House has savaged the reputation and impugned the integrity of Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, whose accidental inclusion on the national-security adviser’s group chat became the basis of Signalgate.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impugn
Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
Targets often accuse short sellers of impugning their reputation for financial gain.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
For example, opposition forces, led by Lee, have ruthlessly attacked the first lady, stirring mass protests and impugning her character.
—Victor Cha, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
And all this week, Trump’s White House has savaged the reputation and impugned the integrity of Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, whose accidental inclusion on the national-security adviser’s group chat became the basis of Signalgate.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impugn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugn
Verb
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The decision also sparked fierce debate from religious conservatives who criticized one board member’s staunch opposition to introducing prayer.—
Nora O’Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2025
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In the Verizon and T-Mobile deals, the FCC only approved the transaction after each company agreed to end DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies criticized by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2025
Verb
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India blamed Pakistan for the attack, an accusation rejected by Islamabad.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
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With a robotaxi, there will be no in-vehicle driver to blame for crashes.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Verb
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In discussing the Afrikaners, Trump will encourage Ramaphosa's government to condemn what the White House official described as incendiary rhetoric against them by politicians.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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Prompted by a petition from white residents in 1924, the Manhattan City Beach council voted to condemn the land to build a public park, driving the Bruce family out of the area.—
Mariette Williams,
Essence,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Two other people connected to the case have been accused of money laundering and corruption.—
Llazar Semini,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
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In April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had openly accused China of supplying Russia with weapons.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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