: 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
Stan BergsteinFinding jobs can be difficult for visually impaired adults. About 70 percent of them are unemployed, the National Federation of the Blind says.—Eric Aasen
Eric Aasen… some GERD patients have impaired gut motility, meaning that their stomachs empty too slowly.—Andrew Weil
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
Mati SpencerExamples of impaired in a Sentence
driving while impaired is against the law
special devices for sight-impaired visitors
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, in the past a student would have to be failing classes to be considered impaired.
—Alison Escalante, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
However, the study did find that in women who were not cognitively impaired, elevated stress levels or persistently high cortisol in midlife—especially after menopause—may be a silent risk factor, Salardini says.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 5 June 2025
Along with a loss of energy, aging felines also start losing their sense of smell and may get impaired vision or hearing, among other physical issues.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
In 2014, he was arrested on four felony counts, including possession of drugs and driving while impaired.
—Ken Belson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for impaired
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Alison Escalante, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
However, the study did find that in women who were not cognitively impaired, elevated stress levels or persistently high cortisol in midlife—especially after menopause—may be a silent risk factor, Salardini says.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 5 June 2025
Along with a loss of energy, aging felines also start losing their sense of smell and may get impaired vision or hearing, among other physical issues.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
In 2014, he was arrested on four felony counts, including possession of drugs and driving while impaired.
—Ken Belson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for impaired
Cite this Entry
“Impaired.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impaired. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Stan BergsteinFinding jobs can be difficult for visually impaired adults.—Eric Aasen
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
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