impairment

[im-pair-muhnt]

noun

1. the state of being diminished, weakened, or damaged, especially mentally or physically.

   cognitive impairment in older adults.

Word History and Origins

Origin of impairment¹

impair + -ment

Example Sentences

Among them, 95 showed cognitive impairment at the start of the study, and 20 healthy individuals served as demographically matched controls.

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Jacob was diagnosed with the rare condition when he was a few days old, and since developed gastrointestinal dystonia, a debilitating stomach condition caused by neurological impairment.

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Rev Cheshire has to attend frequent medical appointments with Adam, who is autistic, including for his profound learning difficulties, as well as hearing and sight impairments.

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"Several new reports published this month further link reduced blood choline levels to behavioral changes, including anxiety and memory impairment, as well as broader metabolic dysfunction."

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It wasn’t until 2011 that the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association came out and said changes in vascular health can cause cognitive impairment and dementia.

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Related Words

• damage 
• deficiency 
• detriment 
• harm 
• hurt 
• injury 
• weakness