impugn

[ im-pyoon ]

/ ɪmˈpyun /

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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.

Nearby words

imprudent, impsonite, impudence, impudent, impudicity, impugn, impuissant, impulse, impulse buying, impulse control disorder, impulse turbine

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

SYNONYMS FOR impugn

1 attack, asperse, malign, criticize, censure.

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Related forms

im·pugn·a·ble, adjectiveim·pugn·a·bil·i·ty, nounim·pugn·er, nounim·pugn·ment, noun

un·im·pugn·a·ble, adjectiveun·im·pugned, adjective

Can be confusedimpugn impute

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for impugn

“I think the jury will see it as a desperate attempt to try and impugn his character,” Slotnick says.
Jodi Arias’s Baffling Defense Strategy|Christine Pelisek|February 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Defense lawyers will look for inconsistencies in the same records as they try to impugn her credibility further.
The Evidence That Could Doom DSK|Christopher Dickey, John Solomon|July 26, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Most of these changes are certainly highly poetical, and, while we admire their ingenuity, we do not impugn their correctness.
The Bon Gaultier Ballads|William Edmonstoune Aytoun
They impugn his authority, and even go so far as to maintain that his historical testimony is of little or no value.
Political and Literary essays, 1908-1913|Evelyn Baring

The readiness with which men impute (impugn) motives is much to be regretted.
Practical Exercises in English|Huber Gray Buehler
You could never get me to impugn your statements courageously--not in that costume.
Alone|Norman Douglas
When Barnes's counsel subsequently tried to impugn their testimony, they dared him; and hurt the plaintiff's case very much.
The Newcomes|William Makepeace Thackeray

British Dictionary definitions for impugn

impugn

/ (ɪmˈpjuːn) /

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

impugn

"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.

impugn

verb (used with object)

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Origin of impugn

Examples from the Web for impugn

British Dictionary definitions for impugn

impugn

verb

Word Origin for impugn

Word Origin and History for impugn

impugn