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Decry vs Impugn - What's the difference?

decry | impugn |

In lang=en terms the difference between decry and impugn

is that decry is to blame for ills while impugn is to verbally assault, especially to argue against an opinion, motive, or action; to question the truth or validity of.

As verbs the difference between decry and impugn

is that decry is to denounce as harmful while impugn is (obsolete) to assault, attack.

decry

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To denounce as harmful.
  • * 1970 , Alvin Toffler, Future Shock'', ''Bantam Books , pg. 99:
  • All of us seem to need some totalistic relationships in our lives. But to decry the fact that we cannot have only such relationships is nonsense.
  • * 1970 , Alvin Toffler, Future Shock'', ''Bantam Books , pg. 474:
  • While decrying bureaucracy and demanding participatory democracy they, themselves, frequently attempt to manipulate the very group of workers, blacks or students on whose behalf they demand participation.
  • To blame for ills.
  • References

    * Chambers's Etymological Dictionary , 1896, p. 114 * * *

    Anagrams

    *

    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

    *