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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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The agreement is already being heavily criticized by New York City Council leaders, after prosecutors resigned in protest against a directive from Trump's Department of Justice to dismiss corruption charges against Adams so the mayor could assist with the Republican president's immigration agenda.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Feb. 2025
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Before Republicans start criticizing Democrats about their dependence on federal dollars, a quick review of the facts may be warranted.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Stephen Henriques,
TIME,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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That, after all, would open up these politicians to scrutiny and blame if the wars didn’t go well.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
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After the 2023 Supreme Court ruling, which deemed affirmative action in university admissions unconstitutional, attacks on DEI proliferated, and the term became a right-wing bogeyman blamed for almost anything that goes wrong in any workplace.—
Kizzy Cox,
Essence,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Everton and Liverpool have jointly condemned racist abuse of Abdoulaye Doucoure that was posted on social media after their stormy tangle.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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Union leaders representing federal workers have condemned the Trump administration's order for agencies to lay off almost all probationary employees.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The big picture: Trump made the announcement just before signing the Laken Riley Act, which requires the detention of undocumented immigrants accused of certain crimes such as theft.—
Brittany Gibson,
Axios,
8 Feb. 2025
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Alex Perez Suarez, a 43-year-old Baltimore resident, is accused of flying an unregistered drone above M&T Bank Stadium on Jan. 11 when the Federal Aviation Administration had imposed a temporary flight restriction over the venue.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near impugn
Cite this Entry
“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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