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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impugn
Toward the end of the hearing, Morrissey became heated in responding to the defense arguments, alleging that Spiro had impugned her conduct to the court.
—
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 17 May 2024
She was later called out for impugning her Democratic colleagues and had to rephrase her criticism.
—Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Follow Election 2024 Democrats charged that the age and memory details in Hur’s report served only to impugn the reputation of a man prosecutors ultimately decided not to charge.
—Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024
Democrats charged that the age and memory details in Hur’s report served only to impugn the reputation of a man prosecutors ultimately decided not to charge.
—Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impugn 
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 17 May 2024
She was later called out for impugning her Democratic colleagues and had to rephrase her criticism.
—Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Follow Election 2024 Democrats charged that the age and memory details in Hur’s report served only to impugn the reputation of a man prosecutors ultimately decided not to charge.
—Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024
Democrats charged that the age and memory details in Hur’s report served only to impugn the reputation of a man prosecutors ultimately decided not to charge.
—Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impugn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugn
Verb
-
Thao, the first Hmong American mayor to lead a major American city, was criticized shortly after taking office for letting go of a police chief and taking months to replace him.Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
-
But the group has largely been shy about criticizing Trump openly.Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Alexis no longer blames herself for her baby’s death.Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2024
-
Team members might end up blaming each other since there might not be a clear leader or clear roles. 4.Jason Miller, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Hochul was still speaking when New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy issued a statement from the other side of the Hudson River condemning the plan and vowing to sue to stop it from going into effect.Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
-
As philosopher George Santayana reminds us, those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it.Josh Becker, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Prosecutors accused Adani and other executives of raising $750 million, $175 million from American investors, through false and misleading statements.Yessar Rosendar, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
-
Many of Shostakovich’s relatives and friends, including his widow, Irina, accused Volkov of fabrication.Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near impugn
Cite this Entry
“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share