impugn
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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impugnmentnoun
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unimpugnableadjective
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impugnationnoun
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impugnableadjective
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impugnabilitynoun
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unimpugnedadjective
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impugnernoun
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have impugnedperfect
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has impugnedperfect 3rd person singular
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am impugningprogressive 1st person singular
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are impugningprogressive
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have been impugningperfect progressive
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has been impugningperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is impugningprogressive 3rd person singular
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impugnssingular 3rd person
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impugningparticiple
Past
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had impugnedperfect
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was impugningprogressive singular
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had been impugningperfect progressive
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were impugningprogressive plural
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impugnedparticiple
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impugnedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of impugn
1325–75; Middle English impugnen < Middle French impugner < Latin impugnāre to attack, equivalent to im- im- 1 + pugnāre to fight, derivative of pugnus fist; see pugnacious
Explanation
To impugn means to call into question or attack as wrong. If your usually grumpy brother is suddenly nice and sweet, you'll impugn his motives if you're smart — he probably just wants something from you. The root of impugn is the Latin pugnare which means "to fight," so when you impugn, you are fighting or attacking, but by saying that something is false or wrong. If a candidate has a record that cannot be impugned, his or her opponent might go for a character attack. If you take pride in your work, you will be especially insulted if someone impugns your professionalism or integrity.
Vocabulary lists containing impugn
Hidden Figures
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First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong
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The Merchant of Venice
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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.
Impugn, im-pūn′, v.t. to oppose: to attack by words or arguments: to call in question.—adj.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
Impugn, Impute.—To impugn means "to call in question;" to impute means "to ascribe to."
From Practical Exercises in English by Buehler, Huber Gray
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.
