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
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
My patriotism and that of people in other border communities cannot be impugned.
—Jonathan Dekel-Chen, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for impugn 
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
My patriotism and that of people in other border communities cannot be impugned.
—Jonathan Dekel-Chen, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for impugn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugn
Verb
-
PinkNews journalist Amelia Hansford criticizes the movie for portraying the titular character’s gender transition as a moral decision to absolve her of her past sins.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Trump has been harshly criticized for pardoning Jan. 6 defendants who assaulted police officers but said Tuesday that planned pardons of D.C. police Terence Sutton and Andrew Zabavsky indicate his true stance in support of law enforcement.—
Haisten Willis,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Finally, blaming the pharmaceutical industry for high drug costs has historically been PBMs’ go-to defense.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
-
And voters’ belief that its beneficiaries are complacent elitists skilled only in symbolic victory can no longer be blamed on brainwashing by right-wing media.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Getty Images News | Getty Images Climate scientists condemned Trump’s order to remove the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, noting the pledge comes just weeks after U.S. and global scientific agencies confirmed the planet experienced its hottest year on record in 2024.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Biden condemned attempts by Trump and his allies to rewrite the history of Jan. 6 and intimidate those who participated in the investigation.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Kimberlee Singler, 36, is accused of drugging then killing her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son in December 2023.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Ak — who was previously accused of rape — was immediately faced with accusations of grooming, later admitting to his crass behavior.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near impugn
Cite this Entry
“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share