impugn
Say it: im-PYOON /ɪmˈpjuːn/ · verb
What “impugn” means
Question someone's honesty, motives or claim.
More precisely: To challenge or call into question someone's honesty, motives or statement.
Example: “The lawyer tried to impugn the witness's memory, not her honesty.”
When to use it
When challenging someone's integrity, motives or the reliability of what they say. Formal and often used in legal or public disputes.
Similar words
challenge, question, attack
Where it comes from
From Latin impugnare, 'to assail', from pugnare 'to fight'.
Quick check
Without evidence, someone suggests the judge chose the winner because they are friends. Which verb describes questioning the judge's motives?
verify or impugn?
Show the answer
impugn
Learn 5 new words a day in Kinquire. Each with a picture, how to say it, an example and a quick check, then spaced review so you actually keep them. Free to start.
Learn “impugn”