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

In May 2018, 19 people died on Colorado roads because of impaired driving. — Saja Hindi, The Denver Post, "322 Colorado drivers cited on suspicion of driving while impaired over Memorial Day weekend," 3 June 2019 The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired. — Bree Burkitt, azcentral, "Waymo self-driving vehicle involved in Mesa crash," 17 June 2018 In the past, the event has focused on helping the visually impaired experience visual art through music and poetry. — Serena Solomon, New York Times, "How to Convey Dance to Those Without Sight? All Hands On," 17 May 2018 In Austin, a new tech tool wants to help blind and visually impaired riders access the city’s bus system. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "New transit tech in Austin wants to give blind riders a better bus ride," 1 May 2018 Huberman’s new clinical trial grew out of an experiment in visually impaired mice. — Rebecca Robbins, STAT, "A daredevil researcher’s latest quest: to restore sight lost to glaucoma using virtual reality," 2 July 2018 SoberRide Lyft will be offering free rides to deter impaired driving during the holiday as part of the 2018 Independence Day SoberRide program, which runs from 7 p.m. Wednesday until 4 a.m. Thursday. — Luz Lazo, Washington Post, "Here’s your July 4th traffic and transit guide," 29 June 2018 Three years ago my agency, Educating Communities for Parenting, was given the opportunity to work with parents of children who are visually impaired or blind. — Anita Kulick, Philly.com, "How we can help families who have kids with special needs," 12 July 2018 Ten airports, including ones in Seattle, Boston, Houston, Memphis and Minneapolis, currently offer zones where blind and visually impaired travelers can download the Aira app and use the service without charge. — Joshua Brockman, New York Times, "For Disabled Travelers, Technology Helps Smooth the Way. But Not All of It.," 25 June 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.