impair
verb (used with object)
to make or cause to become worse; diminish in ability, value, excellence, etc.; weaken or damage.
had impaired
-
past perfectof impair.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When Ms Spirovski first met Mr Barton last October, she was recovering from a nerve injury that had impaired her painting ability.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2025
The ruling was that Duchene, whose skates were outside the crease while jostling with defenseman Cale Makar, had impaired goalie Alexandar Georgiev’s ability to try to make a play.
From Seattle Times ● May 18, 2024
"We found the most pronounced change occurred in people who had impaired memory."
From Science Daily ● Feb. 13, 2024
Puerto Rican officials have called these concerns overblown, though they acknowledged that bureaucratic obstacles had impaired recovery projects.
From New York Times ● Sep. 19, 2022
She was naturally an amiable person, but the aristocratic congregation of St. Paul's had impaired her temper, proffering her vinegar when she had sought the wine of good-fellowship.
From The ghosts of their ancestors by Weymer Jay Mills
