Impugn
/ɪmˈpjuːn/
verbC2
Definition
Impugn means to speak against someone’s honesty, truth, or reputation. It is to say or suggest that something they did or said is wrong or bad, often in a way that attacks their character. People use it when they want to challenge or doubt the truth or fairness of something.
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See It in Action
To say that someone's honesty, truth, or character is wrong or doubtful
- •The politician's opponents tried to impugn his honesty during the debate.
- •She impugned his motives, suggesting he only wanted money.
- •It is unfair to impugn someone's character without proof.
To challenge or question the truth or fairness of something
- •The lawyer impugned the evidence presented by the other side.
- •Critics impugned the accuracy of the report.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "impugn" like "doubt," but stronger and more serious—it means you not only doubt but also openly challenge or attack someone’s honesty or truth.
- ✓Picture a courtroom where a lawyer questions a witness very carefully to show they might be lying or hiding something.
- ✓It’s the feeling when someone says, "I don’t trust you," or "I think you are wrong," but in a formal or serious way.
- ✓Sounds like "im-PUNE" → imagine a sharp "pun" (a joke or word play) that hits someone’s reputation like a small sting.
- ✓Think of stories where characters accuse others of cheating or lying to hurt their reputation.
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (which means to pay no attention); "impugn" means to pay close attention and find faults or reasons not to trust.
- ✓NOT like "criticize" (which can be about any fault); "impugn" focuses on honesty, truth, or moral character.
- ✓NOT like "defend" (to protect someone’s reputation); "impugn" is the opposite—it attacks or questions it.
Try Other Words
- •Challenge: to question or argue against something (Use when you want to say someone questions an idea or fact, not just honesty)
- •Accuse: to say someone did something wrong (Use when the focus is on blaming someone for a bad action)
- •Question: to ask if something is true or correct (Use when less strong than impugn, more about asking than attacking)
- •Criticize: to say what is wrong with something or someone (Use when the focus is on faults, not necessarily honesty or truth)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "im-" (in, on, or against) + root "pugn" (from Latin "pugnare" meaning to fight)
- •Etymology: From Latin "impugnare," meaning to fight against or attack by argument
- •Historical development: Used since the late 1500s in English to mean attacking someone’s truth or character by words
- •Modern usage: Mostly used in formal or legal language when questioning honesty, truth, or fairness
Reflect & Connect
•How can impugning someone’s honesty affect relationships or trust between people?
•When is it fair or unfair to impugn someone’s character or motives?
Fill in the blanks
1.The lawyer impugned the witness’s testimony because it ___ with other evidence.
2.When someone impugns your honesty, it can make you feel ___ and ___.
3.Unlike simple criticism, to impugn means to ___ the truth or character deeply.
4.People often impugn others’ motives when they ___ the real reason behind actions.
5.The politician was careful not to impugn his opponent directly but still ___ doubts.
6.To impugn a statement, you usually need ___ or strong reasons.
7.If someone impugns your reputation publicly, it can ___ your trust with others.