impinge

[im-pinj]

verb (used without object)

impinged, impinging 

1. to make an impression; have an effect or impact (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to impinge upon the imagination; social pressures that impinge upon one's daily life.

2. to encroach; infringe (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to impinge on another's rights.

3. to strike; dash; collide (usually followed by on, upon, oragainst ).

   rays of light impinging on the eye.

verb (used with object)

impinged, impinging 

1. Obsolete.,  to come into violent contact with.

impinge

/ ɪmˈpɪndʒ /

verb

1. (intr; usually foll by on or upon) to encroach or infringe; trespass

   to impinge on someone's time

2. (intr; usually foll by on, against, or upon) to collide (with); strike

Other Word Forms

• impinger noun
• impingement noun
• impingent adjective
• unimpinging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of impinge¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Medieval Latin impingere “to strike against, drive at,” equivalent to Latin im- prefix meaning “in” ( im- ¹ ) + -pingere, combining form of pangere “to fasten, drive in, fix”; impact

Word History and Origins

Origin of impinge¹

C16: from Latin impingere to drive at, dash against, from pangere to fasten, drive in

Example Sentences

He cited a 2019 Supreme Court judgment to say the opposition's demand for machine-readable voter lists could impinge on people's privacy.

From BBC

At the circuit court on Monday, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign said that Baosberg’s order, which affects only the expulsions under the Alien Enemies Act, impinged on executive authority.

From Salon

At 8:03 p.m., an emergency message alerts firefighters to another crisis: “Flames impinging on a convalescent hospital. Evacuations in progress. No fire department on scene.”

From Los Angeles Times

And third, Trump has floated the idea of using U.S. military power to confront narcotraffickers within Mexico — which would directly impinge on Mexico’s sovereignty and could generate more violence on both sides of the border.

From Los Angeles Times

In other words, actions like mining development, agriculture and so on, unleash a whole lot of chemicals which impinge on us every day.

From Salon

Related Words

• encroach 
• infringe 
• intrude