impinge

verb

im·​pinge im-ˈpinj How to pronounce impinge (audio)
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 mindPhyllis Bentley
3
: to strike or dash especially with a sharp collision
I heard the rain impinge upon the earthJames Joyce
impingement noun

Examples of impinge in a Sentence

hail was noisily impinging upon the car's exterior
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Blakeney, who left Universal last spring, specializes in equipping theme parks with all of the unsexy infrastructure required to function—toilets, cellphone towers—as well as ensuring that none of it impinges on the illusion. Bianca Bosker, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2025 Workers aren’t necessarily worried about AI impinging on their jobs – a large majority, 80%, view AI technologies, including gen AI, as more of an opportunity than a threat. Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 Democrats are apoplectic, accusing Trump of impinging on the Fed’s independence. Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 26 Aug. 2025 This places a ton of pressure on the shoulders, in particular on the rotator cuff muscles, which can get impinged (so, compressed or irritated) from that positioning. Jenny McCoy, SELF, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impinge

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of impinge was in 1605

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impinge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impinge. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

impinge

verb
im·​pinge im-ˈpinj How to pronounce impinge (audio)
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 noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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