impugn

verb

Definition of impugnnext
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

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 Trump appeared on The Larry Kudlow show on Monday, speaking on a wide array of topics, but spoke of Connecticut when the Fox Business host impugned the state’s election security. — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026 This is a political tactic of the most crude sort, making no effort to refute an argument but to instead impugn the motives of those making it, along with the assumption that people with white skin can always and forever have only suspect motives. — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026 Cohen still got disciplined for lack of diligence, impugning the qualifications and integrity of a judge, and engaging in conduct that’s prejudicial to the administration of justice. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2026 So the markets are the ultimate arbiter of over whether the Fed’s independence is being impugned. — NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impugn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impugn
  1. criticize
  2. blame
  3. denounce
  4. condemn
  5. accuse
Verb
  • Opponents have criticized using a countywide sales tax to help finance improvements at Marshall.
    — Haley Parsley October 12, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • China criticized Lai’s speech, accusing him of disregarding facts and misleading the public.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • But the Amazon and Blue Origin founder argues that some politicians are blaming the wrong culprit.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Jason Jimenez said the county coroner’s death report found the cause of death to be cocaine toxicity and did not place blame on the officers.
    — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of blame
Verb
  • Many fans sympathized with Clarkson’s shopping experience and took to social media to denounce the actions taken by the shop.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • If the main predictor of racial disparities in prison is poverty, then denouncing police and prosecutors as racist won't shrink those gaps.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of denounce
Verb
  • The brazen, unmasked calls to erase Israel triggered fierce bipartisan backlash from lawmakers condemning the rising wave of open extremism.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • State election groups condemned the mailings, saying staff should not fear for their safety.
    — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of condemn
Verb
  • The state attorney general was accused of accepting bribes and abusing his office to help a political donor whom the FBI was investigating.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Russ has a solid roster of people from different stretches of Tyson’s life, from childhood friends to gym partners to follow boxers to family members to several of the women who didn’t divorce him or accuse him of rape.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of accuse

Browse Nearby Words

impudently
impugn
impugned
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Cite this Entry

“Impugn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impugn. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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