impugn

verb

im·pugn im-ˈpyün How to pronounce impugn (audio)

impugned; impugning; impugns

transitive verb

: to assail by words or arguments : oppose or attack as false or lacking integrity

impugned the defendant's character

obsolete

: assail

: resist

impugnable

im-ˈpyü-nə-bəl How to pronounce impugn (audio)

adjective

impugner

im-ˈpyü-nər How to pronounce impugn (audio)

noun

Did you know?

When you impugn, you hazard repugnant pugnacity. More simply put, you risk insulting someone so greatly that they may punch you in response. The belligerent implications of impugn are to be expected in a word that derives from the Latin verb pugnare, which means "to fight." In its earliest known English uses in the 1300s, impugn could refer to a physical attack (as in, "the troops impugned the city") as well as to figurative assaults involving verbal contradiction or dispute. Over time, though, the sense of physical battling has become obsolete and the "calling into question" sense has predominated. As you might expect, pugnare also gave English other fighting words, including repugnant and pugnacity.

Example Sentences

He impugned his rival's character. Her motives have been scrutinized and impugned.

Recent Examples on the Web Rumors have metastasized and now impugn Mr. Komuro’s character.

New York Times, 25 Oct. 2021 These types of claims are not reliable or fair indicators of an officer’s conduct, and would not be used to impugn any other person.

Taylor Avery, USA TODAY, 31 July 2021 Reproductive rights forms the legal-focused arm of the reproductive justice movement and focuses on challenging laws and policies that impugn someone’s human right to choose whether, when, and how to have a family.

Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2021 Contemporary translators are often quick to impugn the theologies that animate earlier translations, but no translator is free of ideology, for the act of translation itself entails certain claims about the nature of sacred literature.

Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2021 How outrageously hypocritical and ignorantly arrogant of Minneapolis City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison to impugn the character and professionalism of Police Chief Medaria Arradondo.

Star Tribune, 12 Nov. 2020 As a growing body of consistent evidence can be hard to explain away, one fallback is to impugn the source.

Sean B. Carroll, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2020 Hannity was joined in his efforts to impugn the integrity of the electoral system by his colleagues Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham, two hosts who also have a history of advancing dishonest arguments to support Trump.

Oliver Darcy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2020 Where, on the Schorr-Bitburg scale, does this attempt to impugn Cawthorn land?

Jack Butler, National Review, 14 Aug. 2020 See More

单词	impugn
释义	impugn verb im·pugn im-ˈpyün impugned; impugning; impugns transitive verb 1 : to assail by words or arguments : oppose or attack as false or lacking integrity impugned the defendant's character 2 obsolete a : assail b : resist impugnable im-ˈpyü-nə-bəl adjective impugner im-ˈpyü-nər noun Did you know? When you impugn, you hazard repugnant pugnacity. More simply put, you risk insulting someone so greatly that they may punch you in response. The belligerent implications of impugn are to be expected in a word that derives from the Latin verb pugnare, which means "to fight." In its earliest known English uses in the 1300s, impugn could refer to a physical attack (as in, "the troops impugned the city") as well as to figurative assaults involving verbal contradiction or dispute. Over time, though, the sense of physical battling has become obsolete and the "calling into question" sense has predominated. As you might expect, pugnare also gave English other fighting words, including repugnant and pugnacity. Example Sentences He impugned his rival's character. Her motives have been scrutinized and impugned. Recent Examples on the Web Rumors have metastasized and now impugn Mr. Komuro’s character. New York Times, 25 Oct. 2021 These types of claims are not reliable or fair indicators of an officer’s conduct, and would not be used to impugn any other person. Taylor Avery, USA TODAY, 31 July 2021 Reproductive rights forms the legal-focused arm of the reproductive justice movement and focuses on challenging laws and policies that impugn someone’s human right to choose whether, when, and how to have a family. Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2021 Contemporary translators are often quick to impugn the theologies that animate earlier translations, but no translator is free of ideology, for the act of translation itself entails certain claims about the nature of sacred literature. Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2021 How outrageously hypocritical and ignorantly arrogant of Minneapolis City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison to impugn the character and professionalism of Police Chief Medaria Arradondo. Star Tribune, 12 Nov. 2020 As a growing body of consistent evidence can be hard to explain away, one fallback is to impugn the source. Sean B. Carroll, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2020 Hannity was joined in his efforts to impugn the integrity of the electoral system by his colleagues Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham, two hosts who also have a history of advancing dishonest arguments to support Trump. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2020 Where, on the Schorr-Bitburg scale, does this attempt to impugn Cawthorn land? Jack Butler, National Review, 14 Aug. 2020 See More Word History Etymology Middle English, from Anglo-French empugner, from Latin inpugnare, from in- + pugnare to fight — more at pungent First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 impugn verb as in to criticize formal to criticize (a person's character, intentions, etc.) by suggesting that someone is not honest and should not be trusted He impugned his rival's character. Her motives have been scrutinized and impugned. Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance criticize blame denounce condemn accuse appeal implicate indict prosecute try summon cite defame castigate incriminate fault impeach censure criminate reprobate chide reproach damn charge rebuke arraign tax sue reprove name call (on) report book inculpate frame retaliate recriminate inform (against) Antonyms & Near Antonyms defend justify advocate excuse forgive vindicate pardon exonerate champion remit absolve acquit clear exculpate shrive See More
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impugn

verb

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History

verb