impugn

American  

[im-pyoon] / ɪmˈpjun /

verb (used with object)

• impugns,
  present (3rd person singular)
• impugned,
  past participle,  past
• impugning
  present participle

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

   Synonyms:

   censure, criticize, malign, asperse, attack

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

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

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impugn British  

/ ɪmˈpjuːn /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• impugnability
  noun
• impugnation
  noun
• impugner
  noun
• impugnment
  noun
• impugnable
  adjective
• unimpugnable
  adjective
• unimpugned
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• impugning
  present
• impugned
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• impugn
  simple
• impugns
  simple
• have impugned
  perfect
• has impugned
  perfect
• am impugning
  progressive
• are impugning
  progressive
• is impugning
  progressive
• have been impugning
  perfect progressive
• has been impugning
  perfect progressive

Past

• impugned
  simple
• had impugned
  perfect
• was impugning
  progressive
• were impugning
  progressive
• had been impugning
  perfect progressive

Future

• will impugn
  simple
• will have impugned
  perfect
• will be impugning
  progressive
• will have been impugning
  perfect progressive

Etymology

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

Explanation

To impugn means to call into question or attack as wrong. If your usually grumpy brother is suddenly nice and sweet, you'll impugn his motives if you're smart — he probably just wants something from you. The root of impugn is the Latin pugnare which means "to fight," so when you impugn, you are fighting or attacking, but by saying that something is false or wrong. If a candidate has a record that cannot be impugned, his or her opponent might go for a character attack. If you take pride in your work, you will be especially insulted if someone impugns your professionalism or integrity.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

impugn impugns impugned impugning

"These are grave assertions that directly impugn the claimants' personal integrity, character, and professional reputation", Lim said, adding that this was a factor in the awarding of the damages.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

In the latter, he said he did not impugn the jurors — who were not present — but was advising the just-acquitted defendant to stay out of trouble.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

Ms. Nuzzi will not dignify efforts to impugn her character with any future response,” Nuzzi’s lawyer Ari Wilkenfeld said in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025

If Gardner was going to impugn his character and question his credibility, he decided, he wouldn’t cooperate with her prosecutors.

From Salon ● Oct. 10, 2023

As a general principle, we know of no circumstance more likely to impugn a writer's earnestness than the adoption of an anomalous style.

From Views and Reviews by Henry James

We’ve learned a lot about women’s rights and the suffrage movement, and do we hear men saying that it shouldn’t be taught because it impugns men?

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 3, 2022

“For people to say we’re somehow manipulating the system — I do take offense, because that impugns my integrity as a system operator.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2020

He also said it “tacitly impugns the integrity” of judges to suggest that they could not meet performance standards.

From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2018

The documentary impugns the criminal justice system’s pursuit of Mr. Avery and Mr. Dassey at nearly every turn, pointing the finger at investigators, prosecutors and a defense lawyer who was assigned to Mr. Dassey.

From New York Times ● Jan. 5, 2016

Each party uses it or drops it to suit the vision it has faith in, but neither impugns in principle its general theoretic authority.

From A Pluralistic Universe Hibbert Lectures at Manchester College on the Present Situation in Philosophy by William James

Humphrey, the Court said a prisoner named Roy Heck couldn’t seek monetary damages for what he claimed was an unconstitutional manslaughter conviction, without first getting it overturned or impugned in some way.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026

“It would seem that because not only their reputations are being impugned, but they are central to this case—it would seem that an interview of these two prosecutors would be central.”

From Slate ● Oct. 9, 2024

“The impugned conduct took place in Queensland whether one terms the impugned conduct an ‘effect’ or actual conduct,” she added.

From Seattle Times ● May 23, 2024

Federal and state prosecutors have dropped or dismissed dozens of cases that relied on the impugned officers and the city now faces a federal civil rights lawsuit over the text messages.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2023

He, a black man, had repeatedly impugned the government of South Africa and its policies of apartheid.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

She said plaintiffs could potentially go after companies for faulty or negligent designs that result in algorithms putting out damaging information, impugning reputation.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 13, 2023

“I do not appreciate his impugning the integrity of these proceedings, your honor’s efforts to run a fair trial and our efforts to run a fair trial.”

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 20, 2022

It sometimes seems as if the participants in the debate are more concerned with impugning each others’ motives than addressing the genuine issues.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2022

Another told me that he believed Mr Johnson was impugning the reputation of his own MPs.

From BBC ● Jan. 13, 2022

At one point, Wessel told Slovo that he was impugning the integrity of the court and fined him for contempt.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• assail
• contravene
• tar