impugn

[im-pyoon]

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

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

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

Related Words for impugning

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 impugning

Contemporary Examples of impugning

She “was better at impugning our choices…than identifying any feasible alternatives.”
Speed Read: The Juiciest Bits From Timothy Geithner’s New Memoir
William O’Connor
May 13, 2014
The Malaysian authorities are doing the opposite: impugning the aircrew without any tangible evidence.
The Baseless Rush to Blame the Pilots of Flight 370
Clive Irving
March 16, 2014
Impugning their patriotism to the target audience is so easy it can hardly even be called work.
Michael Tomasky on Romney: the Un-American in the Presidential Race
Michael Tomasky
July 19, 2012

Historical Examples of impugning

It is more effective than impugning the virtue of his female ancestors.
The Voice of the Pack
Edison Marshall
Mr. Seward was not in the habit of impugning the courage of any man.
Presidential Candidates:
D. W. Bartlett
Let me say again that I am not impugning the motives of the men in Wall Street.
The New Freedom
Woodrow Wilson
It was like impugning their whole policy and arraigning their wisdom.
The Personal Life Of David Livingstone
William Garden Blaikie
Liberals can do something better than predicting failure and impugning motives.
China, Japan and the U.S.A.
John Dewey

British Dictionary definitions for impugning

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 impugning

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.