impaired

[ im-paird ]

/ ɪmˈpɛərd /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR impaired ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

weakened, diminished, or damaged: impaired hearing; to rebuild an impaired bridge.

functioning poorly or inadequately: Consumption of alcohol results in an impaired driver.

deficient or incompetent (usually preceded by an adverb or noun): morally impaired; sports-impaired.

Words nearby impaired

impactful, impaction, impactite, impactive, impair, impaired, impairment, impala, impale, impalpable, impanation

Origin of impaired

impair + -ed²

OTHER WORDS FROM impaired

un·im·paired, adjective

Definition for impaired (2 of 2)

impair¹

[ im-pair ]

/ ɪmˈpɛər /

verb (used with object)

to make or cause to become worse; diminish in ability, value, excellence, etc.; weaken or damage: to impair one's health; to impair negotiations.

verb (used without object)

to grow or become worse; lessen.

noun

Archaic. impairment.

Origin of impair

1250–1300; Middle English empairen, empeiren to make worse < Middle French empeirer, equivalent to em- im-¹ + peirer to make worse < Late Latin pējōrāre, equivalent to Latin pējōr-, stem of pējor worse + -ā- thematic vowel + -re infinitive suffix; cf. pejorative

SYNONYMS FOR impair

1 See injure.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR impair ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR impair

1 repair.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR impair ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM impair

im·pair·a·ble, adjectiveim·pair·er, nounim·pair·ment, nounnon·im·pair·ment, noun

pre·im·pair·ment, nounself-im·pair·a·ble, adjectiveself-im·pair·ing, adjectiveun·im·pair·a·ble, adjective

Examples from the Web for impaired

Girma realized that law was her best tool to get equal footing for herself and the wider population of impaired Americans.
TEDx Talks Have a Disability Problem—but This Incredible Young Woman Is Working to Change That|Nina Strochlic|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Without independence, both in fact and in appearance, objectivity is impaired.
Who Inspects the Inspector?|Michael Tomasky|August 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As it does so, however, it is impaired and heavily influenced by its own horrific failings of nearly a century ago.
Why Europe’s Response to the Cyprus Crisis Has Been Ineffectual|Daniel Gross|March 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
AmEx announced Thursday that its earnings would be impaired by three major charges.
American Express Charges Backward, Laying Off 5,400|Daniel Gross|January 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST

They are, he said, serial huggers who often have impaired relationships with same-sex companions.
Jerry Sandusky Trial, Day Six: Dottie Defends Her Man|Diane Dimond|June 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I comprehend, I condone, I judge that you have not impaired your qualifications for your high office.
The Unwilling Vestal|Edward Lucas White
I felt confidence in their essential justice, and nothing heard since has impaired that confidence.
Charles Sumner; His Complete Works, Volume III (of 20)|Charles Sumner
He had known little but hardship and had come out of it with impaired health.
A History of American Literature|Percy H. Boynton
We have to remind ourselves that "it will never do" to let the heartiness of Christmas be impaired.
The Feast of St. Friend|Arnold Bennett
It is impaired by permanent inactivity, and becomes less fit to manifest the mental powers with readiness and energy.
A Treatise on Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene (Revised Edition)|Calvin Cutter

British Dictionary definitions for impaired

impair

/ (ɪmˈpɛə) /

verb

(tr) to reduce or weaken in strength, quality, etchis hearing was impaired by an accident

Derived forms of impair

impairable, adjectiveimpairer, nounimpairment, noun

Word Origin for impair

C14: from Old French empeirer to make worse, from Late Latin pējorāre, from Latin pejor worse; see pejorative

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012