noun

impeachment

/ɪmˈpiːtʃmənt/ · say it: im·PEECH·muhnt

formally charging a public official with misconduct

In more detail

1. (noun) the formal process of charging a government official with a serious crime or wrongdoing, which can lead to their removal from office

2. (noun) the act of questioning or challenging someone's credibility or honesty

Examples

1. The president faced impeachment in Congress for abuse of power.
2. The witness's credibility was called into impeachment during cross-examination.

How to use impeachment

Impeachment in sense 1 is a formal constitutional or legal process distinct from conviction or removal—a president can be impeached without being convicted or removed from office. In sense 2, it is more literary or formal and refers to casting doubt on someone's testimony or integrity. The term is most commonly used in political contexts, particularly regarding high government officials.

Common phrases

articles of impeachment
impeachment proceedings
face impeachment
impeachment trial
impeach a president
impeachment inquiry

Synonyms

indictment · accusation · charge · censure · removal

Word family

impeach (verb) · impeachable (adjective) · impeacher (noun)

A common mistake

Learners often confuse impeachment with removal from office or conviction; impeachment is the charge or formal accusation, not the penalty or outcome.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD