verb
Other Word Forms
- impugnability noun
- impugnable adjective
- impugnation noun
- impugner noun
- impugnment noun
- unimpugnable adjective
- unimpugned adjective
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; pugnacious
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.
Ms. Nuzzi will not dignify efforts to impugn her character with any future response,” Nuzzi’s lawyer Ari Wilkenfeld said in a statement.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025
“I want to make a difference … They have to castigate, they have to impugn my motives. Because, if I’m right, what does that say about them?”
From Salon • Oct. 16, 2025
That’s not to say that a cynic would be shocked if somebody donated to charity or helped a stranger, but they might suspect or impugn the person’s motives.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2024
His public squabbling with colleagues was highly unusual, as was letting Rodgers impugn another ABC star.
From New York Times • Jan. 11, 2024
And in complete accordance with the spirit of these, all, who, since the sixteenth century, have attempted to impugn S. Peter's prerogatives, have rested their chief effort on the exaggeration and distortion of this reprehension.
From St. Peter, His Name and His Office As set forth in holy scripture by Allies, Thomas W.
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.
