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 of impinge

• collide
• bump
• slam
• bang
• smash
• knock

Examples of impinge in a Sentence

hail was noisily impinging upon the car's exterior

Recent Examples on the Web

Markets have not fallen further because the outlook for earnings growth remains bullish, Turnquist said — though that could change the longer the conflict drags on and further impinges on consumer spending and business investment. —Rob Wile, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026

Higher borrowing costs will impinge on infrastructure spending by states. —Menaka Doshi, Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 2026

Kurtz’s attorneys argued police lacked probable cause to obtain the information and impinged on his privacy rights. —Mark Scolforo, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026

Kurtz's attorneys argued police lacked probable cause to obtain the information and impinged on his privacy rights. —ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for impinge

• infringe
• syringe
• binge
• cringe
• fringe
• hinge
• singe
• tinge
• twinge

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