impugnar
Lemma Details
Translation: to challenge; to contest; to dispute; to impugn; to oppose; to refute
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: From Latin 'impugnare', meaning 'to attack' or 'to assail', formed from 'in-' (against) + 'pugnare' (to fight). The Latin 'pugnare' derives from 'pugnus' meaning 'fist', which gives us the English cognate 'pugnacious' (combative or quarrelsome). The same Latin root gives us English 'impugn', which means to challenge or dispute the truth or validity of something.
Commonality: 40%
Guessability: 70%
Register: formal
Example Usage
El abogado decidió impugnar la sentencia del juez.
The lawyer decided to challenge the judge's ruling.
Vamos a impugnar los resultados de las elecciones.
We are going to contest the election results.
No puedes impugnar un documento sin pruebas.
You cannot dispute a document without evidence.
El partido de oposición impugnó la nueva ley.
The opposition party challenged the new law.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'im-PUGN-ar' as related to 'pugnacious' (combative) in English - both involve fighting against something.
- Remember 'im' (against) + 'pugn' (fight) = to fight against or challenge something.
- Picture a fist (Latin 'pugnus') raised in opposition to challenge something.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
Frequently used in legal, academic, and political contexts in Spanish-speaking countries. It has a strong presence in legal terminology where it refers to the formal challenging of decisions, documents, or testimonies.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'impugnar' means to challenge or contest something, 'imputar' means to attribute or ascribe something (often blame or responsibility) to someone.
Confused word:
La fiscalía imputó varios delitos al acusado.
The prosecution attributed several crimes to the accused.
Notes: Both terms are common in legal contexts but have distinctly different meanings and applications.
Mnemonic: 'Impugnar' has a 'g' like 'challenge', while 'imputar' has a 't' like 'attribute'.
Explanation: 'Impugnar' means to challenge or contest, while 'imponer' means to impose or enforce something.
This word:
Decidieron impugnar la decisión del comité.
They decided to challenge the committee's decision.
Confused word:
El gobierno quiere imponer nuevos impuestos.
The government wants to impose new taxes.
Notes: Both verbs start with 'imp-' but have completely different meanings and contexts of use.
Mnemonic: Think of 'imponer' as 'im-POSE' (to impose), while 'impugnar' is about 'PUGnaciously' fighting against something.