impinge
Americanverb (used without object)
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to make an impression; have an effect or impact (usually followed by on orupon ).
to impinge upon the imagination; social pressures that impinge upon one's daily life.
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to encroach; infringe (usually followed by on orupon ).
to impinge on another's rights.
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to strike; dash; collide (usually followed by on, upon, oragainst ).
rays of light impinging on the eye.
verb (used with object)
verb
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(intr; usually foll by on or upon) to encroach or infringe; trespass
to impinge on someone's time
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(intr; usually foll by on, against, or upon) to collide (with); strike
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has impingedperfect 3rd person singular
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have impingedperfect
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is impingingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been impingingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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impingingparticiple
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have been impingingperfect progressive
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are impingingprogressive
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am impingingprogressive 1st person singular
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impingessingular 3rd person
Past
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had impingedperfect
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was impingingprogressive singular
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had been impingingperfect progressive
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were impingingprogressive plural
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impingedsimple
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impingedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of impinge
First recorded in 1525–35; from Medieval Latin impingere “to strike against, drive at,” equivalent to Latin im- prefix meaning “in” ( see im- 1) + -pingere, combining form of pangere “to fasten, drive in, fix”; see impact
Explanation
Whether you have a habit of standing too close when talking to others or bringing luggage on a crowded rush-hour subway car, you'll find people don't like it when you impinge on their personal space. When you impinge, you intrude on something, whether it’s someone else’s space, time, or rights. Think of it as moving in on someone’s territory. The word also can be used in the sense of affecting something, usually negatively, often by restricting it. For example, constantly inviting your friend to go shopping and meet you in nice restaurants might impinge on her desire to save money.
Vocabulary lists containing impinge
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A Separate Peace
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This Week in Pop Culture: December 29, 2018 - January 4, 2019
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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.
As Ms. Carr shows, the parental perspective of what is happening may not impinge upon what siblings think is happening.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
"All it will do is impinge further on the freedoms of law-abiding Brits."
From BBC • Sep. 25, 2025
She really believed that she was seeking consensus, tolerant of all perspectives as long as they didn’t impinge on her beliefs, the origins of which are poignantly related later in the play.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 17, 2025
In other words, actions like mining development, agriculture and so on, unleash a whole lot of chemicals which impinge on us every day.
From Salon • Nov. 30, 2024
It is administered by means of a system of lacets and whalebones, which everywhere impinge upon nature.
From Modern Society by Howe, Julia Ward
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.
