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
Not to impugn the integrity of anyone’s former travel agent, but that agent was probably less concerned than Google Flights with showing you the lowest possible price to get where you were heading.
From Slate • Oct. 9, 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
He condemns the narrow localising spirit of His hearers, and goes so far as to impugn the exclusive claim of the people of Israel to be the recipients of the favour of God.
From Pastor Pastorum by Latham, Rev. Henry
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.
