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

In Paris, people take trains, run into each other, walk along parks, ride buses, enter or leave buildings, sit in cafés, buy things, and lead thoroughly uneventful lives, but nothing external impinges on them. — André Aciman, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Gonzalez was a little worried about impinging on Sinclaire, also a single mother, but took the offer — her only other option was to move in with her mother in New Jersey. — Kayla Levy, Curbed, 25 June 2026

Funding that is distributed to governments or organizations working in repressive countries carries the grave risk of empowering security actors that not only impinge on the rights of refugees but also those of citizens. — Kelsey Norman, The Conversation, 18 June 2026

The legal case, decided at an emergency hearing in a Los Angeles courthouse on Monday morning, was brought by an Iranian fan who said FIFA’s block impinged freedom of speech, but the judge rejected that argument. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 16 June 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