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Apocryphal vs Impugn - What's the difference?

apocryphal | impugn |

As an adjective apocryphal

is of or relating to the apocrypha.

As a verb impugn is

(obsolete) to assault, attack.

apocryphal

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of, or pertaining to, the .
  • Of doubtful authenticity, or lacking authority; not regarded as canonical.
  • Many scholars consider the stories of the monk Teilo to be apocryphal .
  • Of dubious veracity; of questionable accuracy or truthfulness; anecdotal or in the nature of an urban legend.
  • There is an apocryphal tale of a little boy plugging the dike with his finger.
    {{quote-Fanny Hill, part=3 , Charles, already dispos'd by the evidence of his senses to think my pretences to virginity not entirely apocryphal , smothers me with kisses, begs me, in the name of love, to have a little patience, and that he will be as tender of hurting me as he would be of himself.}}

    impugn

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To assault, attack.
  • To verbally assault, especially to argue against an opinion, motive, or action; to question the truth or validity of.
  • Quotations

    {{timeline, 1800s=1859 1864 1872 1889, 1900s=1922}} * 1859 — *: Let the opinions impugned be the belief in a God and in a future state, or any of the commonly received doctrines of morality. * 1864 — *: There have been much impugning of motives and much heated controversy as to the proper means and best mode of advancing the Union cause. * 1872 — *: At home, at a period of immense prosperity, with a people contented and naturally loyal, we find to our surprise the most extravagant doctrines professed and the fundamental principles of our most valuable institutions impugned , and that too by persons of some authority. * 1889 — , ch. xxv *: It is a hardy question, fair sir and Boss, since it doth go far to impugn the wisdom of even our holy Mother Church herself. * 1922 — , ch. 21 *: He is not dead. When he revives he will return to his quarters with a fine tale of his bravery and there will be none to impugn his boasts.

    Synonyms

    * (to question the validity of) call into question, challenge, contest, contradict, deny, disavow, dispute, oppugn, negate

    Antonyms

    * (to question the validity of) authenticate, endorse, support

    Derived terms

    * impugnable * impugner

    Anagrams

    *