Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Completely acceptable; not open to exception or reproach: Describes something or someone that is beyond criticism or fault, so good or correct that it cannot be questioned or doubted.
   • Free of guilt; not subject to blame: Describes a person whose character or behavior is entirely faultless and above suspicion.
   • Beyond doubt or reproach: Describes information or a source that is so reliable and trustworthy that it cannot be doubted.

Usage Examples

• Describing a person's character or reputation:
  • Her integrity is unimpeachable; everyone trusts her completely.
  • He has an unimpeachable reputation in the scientific community.
• Describing a source of information:
  • The journalist cited an unimpeachable source for the story.
  • We need unimpeachable evidence before we can proceed.
• Describing something as flawless or beyond criticism:
  • The committee found his conduct to be unimpeachable.
  • She provided unimpeachable logic in her argument.

Advanced Usage

• Legal/Formal Context: Often used in formal, legal, or official contexts to describe evidence, testimony, or a witness that is beyond any reasonable doubt or challenge.
  • The witness's unimpeachable testimony was crucial to the case.
• Ethical/Moral Context: Used to describe a standard of behavior or ethics that is considered perfect and unassailable.
  • A public official should strive for unimpeachable ethics.

Variants and Related Words

• Unimpeachably (adverb): In a manner that is beyond reproach.
  • The report was unimpeachably accurate.
• Impeach (verb): To charge with a crime or misdemeanor; to cast doubt on. (This is the root word from which "unimpeachable" is formed, meaning "not able to be impeached").

Synonyms

• Irreproachable: Free from blame or criticism.
• Blameless: Innocent of wrongdoing.
• Unassailable: Unable to be attacked, questioned, or defeated.
• Faultless: Without any flaws or defects.

Antonyms

• Questionable: Doubtful as to truth or quality.
• Reprehensible: Deserving censure or condemnation.
• Blameworthy: Responsible for wrongdoing and deserving of censure.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Beyond reproach: A common phrase with a very similar meaning to "unimpeachable," describing something that is perfect and cannot be criticized.
  • The accountant's record-keeping was beyond reproach.
• Above suspicion: So honest or good that no one would suspect them of wrongdoing.
  • As a judge, she must remain above suspicion.

Adjective

1. completely acceptable; not open to exception or reproach
   • two unexceptionable witnesses
   • a judge's ethics should be unexceptionable
2. free of guilt; not subject to blame
   • has lived a blameless life
   • of irreproachable character
   • an unimpeachable reputation
3. beyond doubt or reproach
   • an unimpeachable source