impinge

im·pinge

verb \im-ˈpinj\

im·pingedim·ping·ing

Definition of IMPINGE

intransitive verb

1

: to strike or dash especially with a sharp collision <I heard the rain impinge upon the earth — James Joyce>

2

: to have an effect : make an impression <waiting for the germ of a new idea to impinge upon my mind — Phyllis Bentley>

3

: encroach, infringe <impinge on other people's rights>

— im·pinge·ment \-ˈpinj-mənt\ noun

Examples of IMPINGE

1. <hail was noisily impinging upon the car's exterior>

Origin of IMPINGE

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

First Known Use: 1605

Related to IMPINGE

Synonyms: bang, bash, bump, collide, crash, impact, hit, knock, ram, slam, smash, strike, swipe, thud

Related Words: bounce, carom, clunk, glance, rebound, ricochet, skim, skip; contact, land, touch; brush, graze, kiss, nudge, scrape, shave, sweep; bulldoze, jostle, muscle, press, push

Near Antonyms: miss, skirt

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Rhymes with IMPINGE

butt hinge, infringe, syringe, unhinge