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impinge

[ im-pinj ]
/ ɪmˈpɪndʒ /
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See synonyms for: impinge / impingement on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object), im·pinged, im·ping·ing.
to make an impression; have an effect or impact (usually followed by on or upon): to impinge upon the imagination; social pressures that impinge upon one's daily life.
to encroach; infringe (usually followed by on or upon): to impinge on another's rights.
to strike; dash; collide (usually followed by on, upon, or against): rays of light impinging on the eye.
verb (used with object), im·pinged, im·ping·ing.
Obsolete. to come into violent contact with.
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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

OTHER WORDS FROM impinge

im·ping·ent, adjectiveim·ping·er, nounim·pinge·ment, nounun·im·ping·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH impinge

infringe, impinge
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to impinge

encroach, infringe, intrude, affect, disturb, influence, invade, meddle, obtrude, pry, touch, violate, bear upon

How to use impinge in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for impinge

impinge
/ (ɪmˈpɪndʒ) /
verb
(intr; usually foll by on or upon) to encroach or infringe; trespassto impinge on someone's time
(intr; usually foll by on, against, or upon) to collide (with); strike

Derived forms of impinge

impingement, nounimpinger, noun

Word Origin for impinge

C16: from Latin impingere to drive at, dash against, from pangere to fasten, drive in
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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