Impeach

/ɪmˈpiːtʃ/

Meaning & Definition

verb
To discredit or tarnish someone's reputation or integrity.
The scandal served to impeach his standing in the community.
To charge (a public official) with an offense committed while in office.
The House of Representatives voted to impeach the president on charges of abuse of power.
To challenge the validity of a decision or witness.
The defense attorney sought to impeach the credibility of the witness during the trial.

Etymology

Middle English impechen, from Old French empecher, from Latin impedicare 'to entangle'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

impeach the president
To formally charge the president with misconduct.
impeachment trial
The legal proceeding to determine whether an official should be removed from office.

Related Words

impeachment
The process of impeaching a public official.
accusation
A statement saying that someone has done something wrong.

Slang Meanings

To get someone kicked out of office.
They want to impeach him because of the scandal.
To put someone on blast for their actions.
She's trying to impeach his reputation with those rumors.