impair

verb

im·pair | \ im-ˈper

impaired; impairing; impairs

Definition of impair

: to diminish in function, ability, or quality : to weaken or make worse It has been known for nearly 100 years that memory is impaired by bilateral damage to either of two brain regions …— Larry R. Squire The use of drugs further complicates the situation of these families and sometimes impairs their ability to raise children.— Ellen L. Bassuk … the prospect of generating normal profitability is impaired by excessive debt service.— John Nozell The physician also checks for signs of endometriosis, a condition in which the cells that normally compose the uterine lining grow outside the uterus, sometimes impairing fertility.— Martha Southgate

Other Words from impair Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about impair

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for impair

injure, harm, hurt, damage, impair, mar mean to affect injuriously. injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success. badly injured in an accident harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss. careful not to harm the animals hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings. hurt by their callous remarks damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness. a table damaged in shipping impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution. years of smoking had impaired his health mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement. the text is marred by many typos

Examples of impair in a Sentence

Smoking can impair your health. Drinking impairs a person's ability to think clearly. His memory was so impaired by age that he often forgot where he was.

Recent Examples on the Web

The driver remained at the scene and did not appear to be impaired, the sheriff’s office said. — oregonlive, "Boy, 5, dies after being hit by pickup near Woodburn," 1 Sep. 2019 The driver of the Ford is not believed to have been impaired, and is cooperating with investigators. — Carina Julig, The Denver Post, "Fallen Colorado State Patrol trooper remembered as “knight in shining armor” during service," 21 June 2019 Visibility is also expected to be severely impaired at higher elevations, and snow levels could drop from 7,000 feet to below 3,000 throughout the day. — Benjy Egel, sacbee, "Here’s what to expect this week as latest storm takes aim at state | The Sacramento Bee," 20 Mar. 2018 The driver of the wrong-way vehicle, identified as Castillo, was found to be impaired by alcohol and was taken to a hospital for treatment of her injuries, DPS officials said. — Mike Cruz, azcentral, "Glendale woman arrested in connection with fatal wrong-way crash on Loop 101 in July," 22 Aug. 2019 Levy was terminated from the hospital in 2018 after he was found to have been impaired twice while on duty, the Associated Press reported. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, "Doctor accused of being drunk at work indicted in deaths of three patients," 21 Aug. 2019 Michael Ramos, 24, had a blood-alcohol content of .14%, which is above the 0.08% threshold at which Florida law presumes a motorist to be impaired, according to a Florida Highway Patrol investigative report filed with the court case. — Jerry Fallstrom, orlandosentinel.com, "Orlando man charged with DUI manslaughter in 2018 Lake County crash," 20 Aug. 2019 The ants in question were a species that is known to damage trees and is presumed to impair tissue healing. — The Economist, "A tale of elephants, ants, trees and fire shows how complex nature is," 8 Aug. 2019 Police said he was found to be in possession of an alcoholic container and to be impaired. — CBS News, "Delta Air Lines pilot arrested at Minneapolis airport after failing sobriety test before flight," 31 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impair.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about impair

Dictionary Entries near impair

Statistics for impair

Last Updated

14 Sep 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for impair

The first known use of impair was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for impair

impairment

noun

Financial Definition of impairment

What It Is

The term impairment refers to assets that are no longer of the same value as in a prior period. An impairment charge is used and the asset is revalued downward and a "charge" is made to net assets.

How It Works

Impairment normally happens when the value of a company's goodwill declines in market value. Since the advent of FAS (Financial Accounting Standards) 141 and 142, the amortization of goodwill is no longer required, however periodic and annual impairment tests are now necessary. This can work both ways. The goodwill (asset) will stay on the books of the company indefinitely which helps EPS but if there is a market downturn on these assets, a write-down of the value of the asset (impairment charge) will be required which has immediate impact on the income of the company.

For example;

Goodwill Asset Value (Year 0) $4,000,000

Impairment Test Results Value (Year 1) $3,000,000

Income Statement Impact/ Impairment Charge $1,000,000

Why It Matters

Under US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), tests of impairment are required annually. Thus, an internal control procedure must be established within companies that potentially have such exposure to ensure they are abiding by US GAAP. Failure to do so risks a qualified or adverse opinion from the companies’ auditors.

Source: Investing Answers

impair

verb

im·pair | \ im-ˈper

impaired; impairing

Kids Definition of impair

: to make less (as in quantity, value, or strength) or worse : damage Smoking can impair your health.

impair

transitive verb

im·pair | \ im-ˈpa(ə)r, -ˈpe(ə)r

Medical Definition of impair

: to diminish in function, ability, or quality : to weaken or make worse It has been known for nearly 100 years that memory is impaired by bilateral damage to either of two brain regions …— Larry R. Squire The physician also checks for signs of endometriosis, a condition in which the cells that normally compose the uterine lining grow outside the uterus, sometimes impairing fertility.— Martha Southgate

Keep scrolling for more

impair

transitive verb

im·pair | \ im-ˈper

Legal Definition of impair

1 : to damage or make worse by or as if by diminishing impaired health

2 : to diminish the value of (property or property rights) specifically : to diminish the value of (legal contractual obligations) to the point that a party loses the benefit of the contract or the contract otherwise becomes invalid a law impairing a state's own obligations was entitled to less deference — Gerald Gunther — see also contract clause