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Definition of impugn verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

impugn

verb
 
/ɪmˈpjuːn/
 
/ɪmˈpjuːn/
(formal)
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they impugn
 
/ɪmˈpjuːn/
 
/ɪmˈpjuːn/
he / she / it impugns
 
/ɪmˈpjuːnz/
 
/ɪmˈpjuːnz/
past simple impugned
 
/ɪmˈpjuːnd/
 
/ɪmˈpjuːnd/
past participle impugned
 
/ɪmˈpjuːnd/
 
/ɪmˈpjuːnd/
-ing form impugning
 
/ɪmˈpjuːnɪŋ/
 
/ɪmˈpjuːnɪŋ/
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  1. impugn something to express doubts about whether something is right, honest, etc. synonym challenge
    • There were no real grounds for impugning the decision.
    Oxford Collocations DictionaryImpugn is used with these nouns as the object:
    • integrity
    • motive
    See full entry
    Word Originlate Middle English (also in the sense ‘assault, attack physically’): from Latin impugnare ‘assail’, from in- ‘towards’ + pugnare ‘fight’.
See impugn in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
unclear
adjective
 
 
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