impinge

verb

im·​pinge im-ˈpinj 

impinged; impinging

intransitive verb

1

: encroach, infringe

impinge on other people's rights

2

: to have an effect : make an impression

waiting for the germ of a new idea to impinge upon my mind

—Phyllis Bentley

3

: to strike or dash especially with a sharp collision

I heard the rain impinge upon the earth

—James Joyce

impingement

im-ˈpinj-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• bang
• bash
• bump
• collide
• crash
• hit
• impact
• knock
• ram
• slam
• smash
• strike
• swipe
• thud

Examples of impinge in a Sentence

hail was noisily impinging upon the car's exterior

Recent Examples on the Web

On the other hand, that does impinge on sovereignty issues. —Megan Poinski, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

But in the 1960s, doubt began to impinge on this theory, reports the New York Times’ Carl Zimmer. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024

Defending the loophole, Moody argues that fewer admission tickets to gun shows would impinge on Florida’s sales tax revenue — pure folly. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2024

But otherwise, no Apple CarPlay, no podcasts, and no driver aids impinged on my true blast from the past. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin impingere, from in- + pangere to fasten, drive in — more at pact

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing impinge

• impinge on/upon

Kids Definition

impinge

verb

im·​pinge im-ˈpinj 

impinged; impinging

1

: to strike or dash especially with a sharp collision

sound waves impinge on the eardrums

2

: encroach sense 1, infringe

impinge on another's rights

impingement

-mənt 

noun