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Impugn vs Rebuff - What's the difference?

impugn | rebuff |

As verbs the difference between impugn and rebuff

is that impugn is (obsolete) to assault, attack while rebuff is to refuse; to offer sudden or harsh resistance; to turn down or shut out.

As a noun rebuff is

a sudden resistance or refusal.

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

    *

    rebuff

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A sudden resistance or refusal.
  • He was surprised by her quick rebuff to his proposal.
  • Repercussion, or beating back.
  • * Milton
  • the strong rebuff of some tumultuous cloud

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To refuse; to offer sudden or harsh resistance; to turn down or shut out.
  • To buff again.
  • Anagrams

    *