1
as in drunk
being under the influence of alcohol
driving while impaired is against the law
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disabled
deprived of the power to perform one or more natural bodily activities
special devices for sight-impaired visitors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in damaged
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
already impaired by a crack, the windshield shattered upon impact with the baseball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impaired
Ernesto Londoño, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
High exposure can lead to impaired cognitive development in children, as well as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, according to the Environmental Defense Fund and American Cancer Society.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
The sheriff added that, based on a preliminary investigation, the driver didn’t appear to be impaired.
—David Chiu, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for impaired
Adjective
California is among states that outlaw impaired driving, but have not set a specific limit on cannabis use and driving.
—Ernesto Londoño, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
High exposure can lead to impaired cognitive development in children, as well as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, according to the Environmental Defense Fund and American Cancer Society.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
This wasn't a brightness or contrast issue, nor was it impaired by the sun's rays.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
The sheriff added that, based on a preliminary investigation, the driver didn’t appear to be impaired.
—David Chiu, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for impaired
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impaired
Adjective
-
The truck driver, believed to have been drunk, was arrested by Chief Wilson himself.—
Christian Martinez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Stephen O’Connell, a 38-year-old Boston police officer, is accused of driving drunk when his vehicle slammed into an unmarked Boston police cruiser just after 12 a.m. April 1 on a road in Weymouth, Massachusetts State Police said in an April 2 news release shared with McClatchy News.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Studies have found that the closures of local branches by larger and smaller banks across the U.S. have a disproportionate negative effect on those living in the country's rural areas, disabled people, individuals on low-income, and racially diverse communities.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
-
The license is not required for Illinois residents who have a disability and a State of Illinois disabled ID card showing a Class 2 or 2A disability; have a Veterans Disability Card; or are residents on active military duty who are home on leave.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Minnesota leaders criticize arrests, demand answers MINNEAPOLIS -- A University of Minnesota graduate student who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement was taken into custody because of a drunken driving infraction, not for being involved in protests, federal officials said Monday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Or, how to follow the Christmas holiday with a festival of pranks, trick-or-treating, and drunken revelry.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Lincoln Hospital was where Shirley Vasquez and all the other parents, like her, took their children when they were injured or ill.—
Cary Goodman,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2025
-
People who don’t understand, like, people get injured.—
Law Murray,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Choose from their biscuit sandwiches, like the East Nasty that tops a biscuit with fried chicken, cheese, and sausage gravy.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2025
-
No probe thermometer was there to measure the fried eggs, sliced ham and cheese in the processing area.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But others argue these budget controls are ensuring Connecticut won’t return to the 2010s, a decade marred by frequent annual deficits and some of the largest tax hikes in state history.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
4 Jan. 2025
-
The couple welcomed two children, True, 6, and Tatum, 2, but their romance was marred by Thompson's multiple cheating scandals.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
But Morris got wet and was suffering from hypothermia by the time rescuers arrived.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Some greens are known for being dry while others have a rep for being wet, and a new type of golf ball coating could make for better golfing on both.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Cybersecurity can potentially be compromised by the same computational capacity that enables the solution of complex issues.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Don’t open unknown email attachments and links, as even legitimate senders can pass on malicious content accidentally or as a result of being compromised or impersonated by a malicious actor.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Impaired.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impaired. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share