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
If Scarborough is just going to continue to channel the deep state’s refusal to accept the right of Trump to staff his administration by trying to impugn those picks, he’s learned nothing about why so many have such contempt for the legacy media.
—
Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Dec. 2024
The positions were clear with every track: Drake was contending with the envy of his peers for his reign on top of the charts despite years of supporting them as collaborators and impugning Kendrick’s credibility as an arbiter of cultural purity and Black pride.
—Shamira Ibrahim, refinery29.com, 9 May 2024
The case would pit Jones and her far-right supporters against the president and his formidable legal and political teams; Clinton allies would use a volley of innuendo to try to impugn Jones’s reputation and undermine her charges.
—David Friend, Washington Post, 27 June 2024
This isn’t an attempt to ban speech, or impugn anyone’s First Amendment rights.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for impugn
Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Dec. 2024
The positions were clear with every track: Drake was contending with the envy of his peers for his reign on top of the charts despite years of supporting them as collaborators and impugning Kendrick’s credibility as an arbiter of cultural purity and Black pride.
—Shamira Ibrahim, refinery29.com, 9 May 2024
The case would pit Jones and her far-right supporters against the president and his formidable legal and political teams; Clinton allies would use a volley of innuendo to try to impugn Jones’s reputation and undermine her charges.
—David Friend, Washington Post, 27 June 2024
This isn’t an attempt to ban speech, or impugn anyone’s First Amendment rights.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for impugn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugn
Verb
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Some party leaders have been criticized for using Nazi slogans and downplaying the Holocaust.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2025
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While Chiuri has been criticized by some for playing it safe with commercial collections that helped to turbocharge Dior’s growth, Prigent gradually understood her messaging is anything but conservative.—
Joelle Diderich,
WWD,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Ballard blamed himself for not cultivating a more dog-eat-dog mentality throughout the entire roster.—
James Boyd,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Ehrlich can hardly be blamed for the most coercive incarnations of population control.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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House Majority Leader Matt Moonen condemned Libby in a statement on the House floor.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
26 Feb. 2025
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The creation of the Florida DOGE task force was condemned by Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Two hotel employees who acre accused of supplying Payne with drugs are still facing prosecution and a possible trial.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
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Cable company Altice agreed to give Warner and other record labels the names and contact information of 100 broadband subscribers who were accused of pirating songs.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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