impeachable
AmericanUsage
What does impeachable mean? Impeachable is used to describe an offense that could get a public official impeached—formally accused of misconduct.The act or process of or the state of being impeached in this way is called impeachment. In the U.S., impeach and its related words are closely associated with the act of officially bringing charges of misconduct against a sitting president (though other federal officials can be impeached). Describing an offense as impeachable means it could result in impeachment.The U.S. Constitution cites treason and bribery as impeachable offenses, along with other “high crimes and misdemeanors.”Impeachable can also be used in this context to describe a person who could be impeached. For example, presidents and some other federal officials are impeachable according to the law. Sometimes, the word is used to indicate that a person did something that could get them impeached, as in These offenses absolutely make the president impeachable. In a more general legal context, to impeach a witness means to question their credibility. The word impeach can also be used in a more general way meaning to call into question or challenge. Impeachable can be used in this sense, but the opposite, unimpeachable, is much more common. It’s used to describe things that cannot be questioned or are impossible to discredit because there is absolutely nothing wrong with them, as in His record is unimpeachable, so his opponents have resorted to inventing scandals. Example: There is no doubt that accepting a bribe from a foreign official is an impeachable offense.
Other Word Forms
- impeachability noun
- nonimpeachability noun
- nonimpeachable adjective
Etymology
Origin of impeachable
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Prosser and Wilcox both advised Vos in October that Protasiewicz’s campaign remarks don’t rise to an impeachable offense.
From Seattle Times
“Rather, I have asked each of them individually to provide me with guidance on the standards for impeachment and impeachable offenses under the Wisconsin Constitution. I did not know what feedback I would receive from each of three justices, as the advice they seek to provide me will be entirely their decision.”
From Seattle Times
Even in light of this conceptual problem, however, Thomas’ behavior is, to my mind, clearly impeachable under the standard the Constitution sets.
From Seattle Times
For example, Oldfather said, legal challenges could be brought in state or federal court over what is an impeachable offense and whether whatever action the Legislature takes is legal.
From Seattle Times
Charles Cooke, writing in the National Review, insists that "the term 'good behavior' says what it means and means what it says. The judge may serve so long as he or she does nothing impeachable."
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
