impugn

[ im-pyoon ]

/ ɪmˈpyun /

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See synonyms for: impugn / impugned / impugnable / impugnment 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR impugn

1 attack, asperse, malign, criticize, censure.

See synonyms for impugn on Thesaurus.com

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM impugn

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH impugn

impugn , impute

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use impugn in a sentence

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
I like it best when Romney sticks to the facts and avoids impugning the president's motives.
Romney: A Skeptic, Not a Liar|David Frum|January 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Ortelsburg cried, in tones implying that he deprecated Glaubmann's suggestion as impugning Elkan's good faith in the matter.
Elkan Lubliner, American|Montague Glass
One was Dr Geynes, who had brought trouble upon himself by impugning the authority of Galen, perhaps without sufficient reason.
A History of Epidemics in Britain (Volume I of II)|Charles Creighton
Now, I have not the most remote intention of impugning the Professor's honesty.
Cornelius O'Dowd Upon Men And Women And Other Things In General|Charles Lever
The pass for Graduation consisted in the propugning or impugning of questions by each candidate in turn.
Practical Essays|Alexander Bain
The remarks of Aristotle in impugning the Platonic ἰδέαν ἀγαθοῦ are very instructive, Ethic.
Plato and the Other Companions of Sokrates, 3rd ed. Volume IV (of 4)|George Grote

British Dictionary definitions for impugn

impugn

/ (ɪmˈpjuːn) /

verb

(tr) to challenge or attack as false; assail; criticize

Derived forms of impugn

impugnable, 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

impugn

OTHER WORDS FOR impugn

Origin of impugn

OTHER WORDS FROM impugn

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH impugn

Words related to impugn

How to use impugn in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for impugn

Derived forms of impugn

Word Origin for impugn