as in disability
a condition in which a part of your body or mind is damaged and does not work well
Her mother had a hearing impairment that had become worse with age.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 impairment
The policy permits exceptions if a physician determines that terminating a pregnancy could save a pregnant person’s life or prevent substantial impairment of a major bodily function.
—
Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 18 Mar. 2025
Here's a look at the photos from the eight winners, who represent a range of disabilities, including speech and hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities and low vision.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
Here's a closer look at the eight winners, who represent a range of disabilities, including speech and hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities and low vision.
—Charu Bahri, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
Garcia’s damages included physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, grief, disfigurement, physical impairment, anxiety and emotional distress, according to a recording of the verdict from Courtroom View Network.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impairment
Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 18 Mar. 2025
Here's a look at the photos from the eight winners, who represent a range of disabilities, including speech and hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities and low vision.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
Here's a closer look at the eight winners, who represent a range of disabilities, including speech and hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities and low vision.
—Charu Bahri, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
Garcia’s damages included physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, grief, disfigurement, physical impairment, anxiety and emotional distress, according to a recording of the verdict from Courtroom View Network.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impairment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impairment
Noun
-
Oz now directs an agency with a $1.4 trillion budget that administers Medicare for seniors, people with disabilities, and survivors, as well as Medicaid, which serves low-income Americans.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Both cuts will affect students with disabilities, experts say.—
Kayla Jimenez,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
For the second year in a row, Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk will be sidelined due to injury as his team tries to secure a spot in the NBA playoffs.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
However, in just his third game of the season following a return from the IL due to a right hamstring injury, Tauchman re-injured his leg.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Video also showed damage to the former royal palace.—
Time,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
-
There is no precedent for the kind of damage a 30-foot water level in the Arroyo Colorado River could do, according to the NWS.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impairment. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share