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definitions

impugn

[im-pyoon]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impugn ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to challenge as false (another's statements, motives, etc.); cast doubt upon.
Archaic. to assail (a person) by words or arguments; vilify.
Obsolete. to attack (a person) physically.

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RELATED WORDS

assail, contravene, tar, knock, deny, blast, traduce, contradict, question, traverse, cross, resist, attack, break, oppose, negative, smear, negate, trash, slam

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
Related formsim·pugn·a·ble, adjectiveim·pugn·a·bil·i·ty, nounim·pugn·er, nounim·pugn·ment, nounun·im·pugn·a·ble, adjectiveun·im·pugned, adjective
Can be confusedimpugn impute

Synonyms for impugn

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impugn ON THESAURUS.COM
1. attack, asperse, malign, criticize, censure.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for impugn

Contemporary Examples of impugn

  • “I think the jury will see it as a desperate attempt to try and impugn his character,” Slotnick says.

    The Daily Beast logo
    Jodi Arias’s Baffling Defense Strategy

    Christine Pelisek

    February 17, 2013

  • Defense lawyers will look for inconsistencies in the same records as they try to impugn her credibility further.

    The Daily Beast logo
    The Evidence That Could Doom DSK

    Christopher Dickey, John Solomon

    July 26, 2011

Historical Examples of impugn

  • If you do, he will have to swear to his words; and we are perfectly sure that no one will be found to impugn him.

  • But as you are about to stake your life on the issue, I cannot impugn your sincerity.

  • Neeld admitted that he had no reason to impugn the Major's character.

    Tristram of Blent

    Anthony Hope

  • I will not impugn the 174intelligence of this jury by a review of the evidence in so plain a case.

    The Hindered Hand

    Sutton E. Griggs

  • Not being able to impugn her beauty, they attacked her costume.

British Dictionary definitions for impugn

impugn

verb

(tr) to challenge or attack as false; assail; criticize
Derived Formsimpugnable, adjectiveimpugnation (ˌɪmpʌɡˈneɪʃən) or impugnment, nounimpugner, noun

Word Origin for impugn

C14: from Old French impugner, from Latin impugnāre to fight against, attack, from im- + pugnāre to fight
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
Word Origin and History for impugn
v.

"attack by argument," late 14c., from Old French impugner, from Latin impugnare "to assault, to attack," from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (see in- (2)) + pugnare "to fight" (see pugnacious). Related: Impugned; impugning.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper