definitions

oppugn

[ uh-pyoon ]
/ əˈpyun /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR oppugn ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to assail by criticism, argument, or action.
to call in question; dispute.

RELATED WORDS

criticize, contradict, controvert, attack, argue, debate

Nearby words

oppress, oppression, oppressive, opprobrious, opprobrium, oppugn, oppugnant, opr, opra, opruss, opry

Origin of oppugn

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin oppugnāre to oppose, attack, equivalent to op- op- + pugnāre to fight, derivative of pugnus fist; see pugilism

Related forms

op·pugn·er, nounun·op·pugned, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for oppugn

oppugn

/ (əˈpjuːn) /

verb

(tr) to call into question; dispute

Derived Forms

oppugner, noun

Word Origin for oppugn

C15: from Latin oppugnāre, from ob- against + pugnāre to fight, from pugnus clenched fist; see pugnacious
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