Definition of impair
transitive verb
: 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
impairer
noun … the overwhelming majority of hookups involved alcohol use—an impairer of sexual judgment if ever there was one … — Tiffany SharplesRead the Latest from M-W
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 of impair from the Web
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Officers suspected he was impaired by drugs and placed him in handcuffs, but the man struggled and refused to enter a squad car.
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Climate change is costly in part because its effects are uncertain, impairing investments and other actions which might mitigate its harms.
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According to police reports, officers stopped Wilson for speeding near Milwaukee Avenue and Route 45 and later determined he was impaired.
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The panel identified bed-sharing, or co-sleeping, as a concern, especially when an adult might be impaired by drugs, alcohol, prescription medication or just sheer exhaustion.
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Bond, who was not injured, was found not to be impaired nor distracted and will not be charged, according to Ofc.
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Backhaus was arrested and taken to the Sheriff's Office Southern Precinct, where he was charged with driving under the influence of and while impaired by alcohol and failing to stop vehicle at the scene of an accident involving bodily injury.
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Agencies were initially reluctant to endorse the conclusion that Putin wanted to impair Clinton’s campaign, and support Trump.
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And none of Trump’s cabinet appointments impair his credibility when punching down.
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.
Origin and Etymology of impair
Middle English empeiren, from Anglo-French empeirer, from Vulgar Latin *impejorare, from Latin in- + Late Latin pejorare to make worse — more at pejorative
Synonym Discussion of impair
Financial Definition of IMPAIR
impair
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.
IMPAIR Defined for Kids
Medical Dictionary
Law Dictionary
impair
playLegal 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
impairment
nounLearn More about impair
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See words that rhyme with impair Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for impair Spanish Central: Translation of impair Nglish: Translation of impair for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of impair for Arabic speakers
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