impaired

adjective

im·​paired im-ˈperd 

: 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

• 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
• squiffy
• stewed
• stiff
• stinking [slang]
• stoned
• tanked [slang]
• tiddly [chiefly British]
• tight
• tipsy
• wasted [slang]
• wet
• wiped out [slang]

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 stretch from Memorial Day in late May to Labor Day in early September is referred to as the 100 Deadliest Days, but officials will try to limit that by keeping impaired drivers off the roads. —Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2024

He was hit with a raft of charges including reckless endangerment, vehicular assault, leaving the scene of an accident, unlawfully fleeing police, reckless driving and driving while ability impaired. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 May 2024

Hotel employees will read printed or visual information and provide verbal directions to areas of the hotel to those who are visually impaired. —Emily Hochberg, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2024

With our blood now flowing to our limbs in order to help us, quite literally, flee the situation, our cognitive processing, things like rational and logical decision-making, is impaired. —Finnian Kelly, TIME, 8 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing impaired

• hearing-impaired
• visually impaired

Kids Definition

impaired

adjective

im·​paired -ˈpa(ə)rd 

-ˈpe(ə)rd

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

a

: diminished in function or ability : lacking full functional or structural integrity

impaired heart action

b

: intoxicated by alcohol or drugs

driving while impaired

Medical Definition

impaired

adjective

: being in an imperfect or weakened state or condition: 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 movement.

—Stan Bergstein

Finding jobs can be difficult for visually impaired adults.

—Eric Aasen

b

: unable to function normally or safely (as when operating a motor vehicle) because of intoxication by alcohol or drugs

driving while impaired