impaired

adjective

im·paired | \ im-ˈperd

Definition of impaired

: being in an imperfect or weakened state or condition: such as

a : diminished in function or ability : lacking full functional or structural integrity Brennan supports the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of inflammation, swelling, pain and impaired joint movement.— Stan Bergstein Finding jobs can be difficult for visually impaired adults. About 70 percent of them are unemployed, the National Federation of the Blind says.— Eric Aasen … some GERD patients have impaired gut motility, meaning that their stomachs empty too slowly.— Andrew Weil

b : unable to function normally or safely (as when operating a motor vehicle) because of intoxication by alcohol or drugs Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is the safety advertisement that restaurants and bars will use to remind patrons of the dangers of driving impaired.— Mati Spencer

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about impaired

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Synonyms & Antonyms for impaired

Synonyms

besotted, blasted [slang], blind, blitzed [slang], blotto [slang], bombed, boozy, canned [slang], cockeyed, crocked, drunk, drunken, fried, gassed, hammered [slang], high, inebriate, inebriated, intoxicated, juiced [slang], lit, lit up, loaded [slang], looped, oiled [slang], pickled, pie-eyed, plastered, potted [slang], ripped [slang], sloshed [slang], smashed [slang], sottish, soused, sozzled, squiffed (or squiffy), stewed, stiff, stinking [slang], stoned, tanked [slang], tiddly [chiefly British], tight, tipsy, wasted [slang], wet, wiped out [slang]

Antonyms

sober, straight

Examples of impaired in a Sentence

driving while impaired is against the law special devices for sight-impaired visitors

Recent Examples on the Web

The most commonly observed side effects are swelling, redness, pain, bruising, headache, tenderness, lump formation, itching at the injection site, and impaired hand function. — Vogue, "Celebrity Manicurist Deborah Lippmann on Beauty, Aging, and the Product That Changed her Relationship With her Hands," 1 Apr. 2019 Like the real-life subject of Jeff Malmberg’s 2010 documentary, Mark was brutally beaten by a group of thugs in a Kingston bar brawl that left him severely impaired, with memory and motor deficits and a terror of the outside world. — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "‘Welcome to Marwen’ Review: An Excess of Fantasy," 20 Dec. 2018 Kerry Kennedy Exonerated America's most elite dynasty breathes a sigh of relief as a Westchester County jury acquits JFK's niece of driving while impaired. — Town & Country, "The 1% Daily," 28 Feb. 2014 As far back as 2008, however, patients who had received Lasik and their families testified at an FDA meeting about impaired vision and chronic pain that led to job loss and disability, social isolation, depression — and even suicides. — Author: Roni Caryn Rabin, Anchorage Daily News, "Blurred vision, burning eyes: This is a Lasik success?," 12 June 2018 As far back as 2008, however, patients who had received Lasik and their families testified at an F.D.A. meeting about impaired vision and chronic pain that led to job loss and disability, social isolation, depression — and even suicides. — New York Times, "Blurred Vision, Burning Eyes: This Is a Lasik Success?," 11 June 2018 Playing ping-pong with impaired vision improves their eyes’ ability to hyperfocus quickly, Leo said, an invaluable skill on the race track. — Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, "Where IndyCar drivers go to prepare their minds, bodies for rigors of Indy 500," 16 May 2018 The national academies’ report noted that impaired vision affects how people experience their world, including normal communication and social activities, independence and mobility. — Michelle Andrews, Washington Post, "Lack Of Insurance Exposes Blind Spots In Vision Care," 15 May 2018 Symptoms include headache, nausea, decreased sweating and urination, dizziness, headache, impaired judgment, loss of coordination and muscle cramps. — J. Harry Jones, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Popular trails closed due to heat concerns," 5 July 2018

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