impinge

[ im-pinj ]

verb (used without object)

, im·pinged, im·ping·ing.

1. to make an impression; have an effect or impact (usually followed by on or upon ):

   to impinge upon the imagination; social pressures that impinge upon one's daily life.

2. to encroach; infringe (usually followed by on or upon ):

   to impinge on another's rights.

3. to strike; dash; collide (usually followed by on, upon, or against ):

   rays of light impinging on the eye.

verb (used with object)

, im·pinged, im·ping·ing.

1. Obsolete. to come into violent contact with.

impinge

/ ɪmˈpɪndʒ /

verb

1. intr; usually foll by on or upon to encroach or infringe; trespass

   to impinge on someone's time

2. intr; usually foll by on, against, or upon to collide (with); strike

Derived Forms

• imˈpinger, noun
• imˈpingement, noun

Other Words From

• im·ping·ent adjective
• im·ping·er noun
• im·pinge·ment noun
• un·im·ping·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of impinge¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Medieval Latin impingere “to strike against, drive at,” equivalent to Latin im- prefix meaning “in” ( im- ¹ ) + -pingere, combining form of pangere “to fasten, drive in, fix”; impact

Word History and Origins

Origin of impinge¹

C16: from Latin impingere to drive at, dash against, from pangere to fasten, drive in

Example Sentences

To those who say any changes could impinge the freedoms of young people, Natalie has a simple and direct answer.

From BBC

The second is the threat of undue political influence by Trump that could impinge on the Fed’s independence.

From Los Angeles Times

The ART Act, she said, was introduced to stop commercial use of surrogacy, to regulate and supervise clinics, not to impinge upon personal freedoms of aggrieved parents.

From BBC

She got Judge Kavanaugh to uncomfortably consent to the truth of the categorical sentence, “No laws are impinging on male bodily autonomy.”

From Salon

“She was dehydrated, she hadn’t had her medication and she was sitting in her own wee,” she adds, uncomfortable at impinging on her mother’s dignity.

From BBC

Related Words

• encroach
• infringe
• intrude