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Impugn vs Rebuke - What's the difference?

impugn | rebuke |

As verbs the difference between impugn and rebuke

is that impugn is (obsolete) to assault, attack while rebuke is to criticise harshly; to reprove.

As a noun rebuke is

a harsh criticism.

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

    Related terms

    * poniard * pugilism * pugnacious * repugn, repugnant

    Anagrams

    *

    rebuke

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A harsh criticism.
  • * 2012 , July 15. Richard Williams in Guardian Unlimited, Tour de France 2012: Carpet tacks cannot force Bradley Wiggins off track
    • There was the sternness of an old-fashioned Tour patron in his rebuke to the young Frenchman Pierre Rolland, the only one to ride away from the peloton and seize the opportunity for a lone attack before being absorbed back into the bunch, where he was received with coolness.

    Verb

    (rebuk)
  • To criticise harshly; to reprove.

    • Synonyms

    * See also