impugn

[im-pyoon]

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.

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

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1. attack, asperse, malign, criticize, censure.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for impugn

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

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.
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 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.
Theaetetus
Plato
But as you are about to stake your life on the issue, I cannot impugn your sincerity.
The Daltons, Volume I (of II)
Charles James Lever
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.
Notre-Dame de Paris
Victor Hugo

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

"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.