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

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

Routine and cliché, frustration and anger, despair and fatigue weigh heavily on the dispossessed, and impinge on the relationship at the movie’s center. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2024

Powerful foreign militaries obviously impinge on national security, but other threats do, as well. —Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2024

Evan Williams The sloping rear can impinge on headroom for some. —Evan Williams, Ars Technica, 18 July 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