impaired; impairing; impairs
: to diminish in function, ability, or quality : to weaken or make worse
It has been known for nearly 100 years that memory is impaired by bilateral damage to either of two brain regions …—
Larry R. Squire
Larry R. SquireThe use of drugs further complicates the situation of these families and sometimes impairs their ability to raise children.—Ellen L. Bassuk
Ellen L. Bassuk… the prospect of generating normal profitability is impaired by excessive debt service.—John Nozell
John NozellThe physician also checks for signs of endometriosis, a condition in which the cells that normally compose the uterine lining grow outside the uterus, sometimes impairing fertility.—Martha Southgate
Martha Southgate
impairer
noun
… the overwhelming majority of hookups involved alcohol use—an impairer of sexual judgment if ever there was one …
—Tiffany Sharples
Tiffany Sharples
Synonyms
Examples of impair in a Sentence
Smoking can impair your health.
Drinking impairs a person's ability to think clearly.
His memory was so impaired by age that he often forgot where he was.
Recent Examples on the Web
The beloved cougar was euthanized in late 2022 after suffering severe injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle and chronic conditions that impaired his ability to function in the wild, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
But new research shows climate change impairs their ability to feed their young.
—Gaby Vinick, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
After college, David worked as a bra salesman and as a driver for a woman whose vision was impaired.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Because an eclipse partially darkens the sun, your instinct to squint is impaired and people have reported permanent eye damage from looking at eclipses.
—Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
There were no witnesses, and it is not known if he was impaired by drugs or alcohol.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
Police said the driver stopped after the collision and did not show any signs of being impaired by drugs or alcohol.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
Dozens of Wisconsin rivers are considered chronically impaired by chloride, most in the southeast region of the state.
—Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024
This preventable health crisis especially threatens children during periods of critical brain development but can also impair intellectual development and long-term health in adults.
—Aaron Specht, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024
Cindy Von Quednow, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
But new research shows climate change impairs their ability to feed their young.
—Gaby Vinick, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
After college, David worked as a bra salesman and as a driver for a woman whose vision was impaired.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Because an eclipse partially darkens the sun, your instinct to squint is impaired and people have reported permanent eye damage from looking at eclipses.
—Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
There were no witnesses, and it is not known if he was impaired by drugs or alcohol.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
Police said the driver stopped after the collision and did not show any signs of being impaired by drugs or alcohol.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
Dozens of Wisconsin rivers are considered chronically impaired by chloride, most in the southeast region of the state.
—Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024
This preventable health crisis especially threatens children during periods of critical brain development but can also impair intellectual development and long-term health in adults.
—Aaron Specht, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impair.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English empeiren, from Anglo-French empeirer, from Vulgar Latin *impejorare, from Latin in- + Late Latin pejorare to make worse — more at pejorative
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of impair was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near impair
Cite this Entry
“Impair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impair. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
impair
verb
im·pair
im-ˈpa(ə)r 
-ˈpe(ə)r
: to damage or make worse by or as if by making smaller, less, or weaker
smoking can impair one's health
Medical Definition
impair
transitive verb
im·pair
im-ˈpa(ə)r, -ˈpe(ə)r
: to diminish in function, ability, or quality : to weaken or make worse
It has been known for nearly 100 years that memory is impaired by bilateral damage to either of two brain regions …—Larry R. Squire
Larry R. SquireThe physician also checks for signs of endometriosis, a condition in which the cells that normally compose the uterine lining grow outside the uterus, sometimes impairing fertility.—Martha Southgate
Martha Southgate
Legal Definition
impair
transitive verb
im·pair
im-ˈper
1
: to damage or make worse by or as if by diminishing
impaired health
2
: to diminish the value of (property or property rights)
specifically
: to diminish the value of (legal contractual obligations) to the point that a party loses the benefit of the contract or the contract otherwise becomes invalid
a law impairing a state's own obligations was entitled to less deference —Gerald Gunther
see also contract clause
Gerald Gunther
impairment
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on impair
Nglish: Translation of impair for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of impair for Arabic Speakers
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