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GRE vocabulary

impugn

verbHigh-frequency wordMore I words

to attack as false or call into question

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In a sentence

Impugn in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing impugn in a sentence.

The lawyer sought to impugn the credibility of the prosecution's witness.

Opposing counsel sought to impugn the witness's testimony by exposing inconsistencies in her earlier statements.

Synonyms
challengedisputequestionassail
Antonyms
defendsupport

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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence

Modern editors have softened many passages that earlier audiences accepted without protest, finding blank what their grandparents had regarded as merely robust and good-humored.

Select the two answers that give the sentence the same meaning. 0 of 2 selected.

Usage & nuance

Using “impugn” well

Impugn means to attack the truth or integrity of something by questioning it, and it pairs naturally with claims, motives, or credibility. Do not confuse it with impute, which means to attribute.

Common questions

Questions about “impugn”

Impugn (verb) means to attack as false or call into question
Here is impugn used in an example sentence: "The lawyer sought to impugn the credibility of the prosecution's witness." Another example: "Opposing counsel sought to impugn the witness's testimony by exposing inconsistencies in her earlier statements."
Common synonyms for impugn include challenge, dispute, question, assail.
Antonyms of impugn include defend, support.
Impugn clusters with challenge, dispute, question, and assail. Its antonyms defend and support mark the contrast; the look-alike impute is a classic trap.
Yes. Impugn is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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