verb

impugn

im-PYOON/ɪmˈpjuːn/

To challenge the truth or integrity of someone or something.

The woman impugns the chart's accuracy by pointing to its misleading scale.

At a spare meeting table, an older woman challenges the validity of a presented chart by pointing out its visibly misleading scale beside the underlying evenly spaced data.

Etymology

The components originally expressed fighting against or attacking something. In the selected sense, the attack is made through argument, challenging a claim's truth or someone's integrity.

In context

Suits Official1:55

Mr chairman if she's going to impugn his character while he's speaking then he's entitled to let someone else speak for him

Mike's Hearing to Become a Lawyer Commences | S06 E16 | Suits

More examples

I don't mean to impugn your motives by asking for details.
The lawyer impugned the witness's honesty during cross-examination.
Missing records make it easier to impugn the report's conclusions.

Forms

impugn · impugns · impugned · impugning

Similar words

question: Can express uncertainty without directly attacking truth or integrity.
challenge: More broadly contests claims, decisions, authority, or someone's abilities.
dispute: Usually contests a claim's correctness rather than someone's integrity.