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
Rather, it is being used to impugn Baldoni's character and demonstrate malicious intent on his part.
—
Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for impugn
Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for impugn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugn
Verb
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Many airlines have long relied on aging computer systems, and the aviation industry has been criticized for failing to modernize swiftly.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
22 July 2025
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Even Bennington's family, namely mother Susan Eubanks and son Jaime Bennington, criticized the lineup change.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Trump doubled down on his past criticism and blamed Biden for Powell remaining in the role.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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The current president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group, blamed it for unrest in the country and imprisoned many of its leaders.—
Victoria Moorwood,
The Enquirer,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Huckabee, an evangelical Christian who is normally strongly supportive of Israel, harshly condemned the attack.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
19 July 2025
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The Trump administration accused them of belonging to the Tren de Aragua street gang in a case condemned by rights groups.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Verb
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Thailand and Cambodia have each accused the other of firing the first shots, Bangkok saying hostilities began with Cambodia's military deploying drones to conduct surveillance of Thai troops near the border.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
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The actor, along with an assistant director, were accused of raping an extra on the set of 2004's Hustle & Flow, but charges against them were later dropped, according to Variety.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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