impugn definition | Dictionary.com

im⋅pugn

[im-pyoon]

–verb (used with object)

1.	to challenge as false (another's statements, motives, etc.); cast doubt upon.

2.	Archaic. to assail (a person) by words or arguments; vilify.

3.	Obsolete. to attack (a person) physically.

Origin:
1325–75; ME impugnen < MF impugner < L impugnāre to attack, equiv. to im- im- ¹ + pugnāre to fight, deriv. of pugnus fist; see pugnacious

Related forms:

im⋅pugn⋅a⋅ble, adjective

im⋅pugn⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun

im⋅pugn⋅er, noun

im⋅pugn⋅ment, noun

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

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To impugn

im·pugn (ĭm-pyōōn')

tr.v. im·pugned, im·pugn·ing, im·pugns
To attack as false or questionable; challenge in argument: impugn a political opponent's record.

[Middle English impugnen, from Old French impugner, from Latin impugnāre : in-, against; see in-² + pugnāre, to fight; see peuk- in Indo-European roots.]
im·pugn'a·ble adj., im·pugn'er n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Impugn

Im*pugn"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impugned; p. pr. & vb. n. Impugning.] [OE. impugnen, F. impugner, fr. L. impugnare; in on, against + pugnare to flight. See Pugnacious.] To attack by words or arguments; to contradict; to assail; to call in question; to make insinuations against; to gainsay; to oppose.

The truth hereof I will net rashly pugn, or overboldly affirm. --Peacham.

impugn

1362, from O.Fr. impugner, from L. impugnare "to assault, to attack," from in- "upon" + pugnare "to fight" (see pugnacious).

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