impaired

[im-paird]

adjective

1. weakened, diminished, or damaged.

   to rebuild an impaired bridge.

2. functioning poorly or inadequately.

   Consumption of alcohol results in an impaired driver.

3. deficient or incompetent (usually preceded by an adverb or noun).

   morally impaired; sports-impaired.

Other Word Forms

• unimpaired adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of impaired¹

impair + -ed ²

Example Sentences

This has been an impaired therapeutic category for years, but is starting to turn.

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But this couldn’t be chalked up to an impaired or distracted driver.

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It described an autistic child as one who, by the age of 2½, showed impaired communication, unusual responses to their environment and a lack of interest in other people.

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He was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and pay £150 in costs after admitting performing an aviation function while impaired by drugs.

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She said her ability to raise concerns earlier was impaired by her autism and the "toxic and bullying environment I was subjected to".

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Related Words

• damaged www.thesaurus.com
• defective 
• flawed 
• harmed www.thesaurus.com