A Word A Day : Impugn



Tuesday, 1st April 2008 : Today's Word is ...

Impugn




( Transitive Verb )


Past and past participle : impugned
Present participle : impugning
3rd person present singular : impugns


Pronunciation : im-pyoon


Definition:



1. to suggest that something cannot be trusted, relied on, or respected

2. to attack as false or questionable

3. challenge in argument

4. attack as false or wrong


Etymology:


14th century - Latin impugnare - fight against - pugnare - to fight - pugnus - fist


Synonyms:


assail, attack, blast, break, challenge, contradict, contravene, cross, deny, disaffirm, dispute, gainsay, knock, lay out, negate, negative, oppose, put down, question, rap, resist, run down, skin alive, slam, smear, swipe at, tar, traduce, trash, traverse, zap, zing


Antonyms:


flatter, praise, support


Contextual Examples:


• Do not let any one impugn this statement with the trite proverb that "He who builds on the people, builds on the mud".

• We decided to impugn our political opponent's record


Related Words:


impugner : Noun

impugnment : Noun

impugnability : Noun

impugnable : Adjective


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