Definition

1. Verb:
   • To charge (a public official) with a serious crime or misconduct while in office: The formal process of accusing a high-ranking government official, such as a president or judge, of committing an offense that warrants removal from office.
   • To challenge the honesty, credibility, or validity of something: To call into question the truthfulness or reliability of a person, statement, or piece of evidence.
   • (Archaic) To bring an accusation against; to level a charge against: To formally accuse someone of a crime or wrongdoing.

Usage and Examples

• Charging a public official:

  • The House of Representatives voted to impeach the President for abuse of power.
  • The process to impeach a federal judge is lengthy and complex.

• Challenging credibility or honesty:

  • The defense attorney sought to impeach the witness's testimony by revealing prior inconsistencies.
  • New evidence was presented to impeach the validity of the original study's conclusions.

• (Archaic) Bringing an accusation:

  • He was impeached of high treason by his political rivals.

Advanced Usage

• "To impeach someone's character": To attack or cast doubt on someone's moral integrity or reputation.

  • The scandal was used to impeach his character and ruin his career.

• "To impeach by prior inconsistent statement": (Legal term) A method of challenging a witness's credibility by showing they made a previous statement that contradicts their current testimony.

Variants and Related Words

• Impeachable (adj): Describing an offense serious enough to warrant impeachment.

  • Bribery is considered an impeachable offense.

• Impeachment (n): The formal process of charging a public official with a crime.

  • The impeachment trial will be held in the Senate.

• Impeacher (n): One who brings forth impeachment charges.

Synonyms

• Indict: To formally accuse of or charge with a serious crime.
• Arraign: To call or bring before a court to answer an indictment.
• Discredit: To harm the reputation of; to cause disbelief in the reliability of.
• Challenge: To dispute the truth or validity of.

Antonyms

• Exonerate: To absolve from blame for a fault or wrongdoing.
• Vindicate: To clear from accusation, blame, or suspicion.
• Acquit: To free or clear from a charge or accusation.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Articles of Impeachment: The formal written charges alleging specific misconduct, which are voted on by a legislative body.

  • The committee drafted five articles of impeachment.

• Power of impeachment: The constitutional authority granted to a legislative body to charge an official.

  • The Constitution grants the House of Representatives the sole power of impeachment.

Verb

1. bring an accusation against; level a charge against
   • The neighbors accused the man of spousal abuse
2. charge (a public official) with an offense or misdemeanor committed while in office
   • The President was impeached
3. challenge the honesty or veracity of
   • the lawyers tried to impeach the credibility of the witnesses