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 At the Bank of China, the impaired loan ratio for real estate stood at 4.91% in June, compared with 0.41% a year earlier. — Jacky Wong, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2021 Teens and their parents will learn everything from how to change a tire and jump a car battery to the dangers of impaired and distracted driving and how to deal with law enforcement - all in a fun, interactive environment. — Shirley Macfarland, cleveland, 3 Sep. 2021 Ohio troopers also issued 3,289 seatbelt citations and made 545 arrests for impaired driving over Labor Day weekend 2020, according to statistics provided by the Highway Patrol. — Olivia Mitchell, cleveland, 2 Sep. 2021 Now, because of the impaired waters listing, these point source polluters are facing a new wave of expensive pollution control upgrades that may do little to keep Green Bay's fish from suffocating in their own water. — jsonline.com, 2 Sep. 2021 Visually impaired runner Keula Nidreia Pereira Semedo of Cape Verde and her guide, Manuel Antonio Vaz da Vega, finished fourth in the race. — Gabriela Miranda, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2021 Will impaired individuals decline into dementia, like Ron Kirchner? — Patrick Hruby, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2021 She was sentenced in Livingston County in 2017 to up to five years in prison for impaired driving and, separately, for two counts of assaulting a prison employee, according to prison records. — Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 13 Aug. 2021 The officer stopped the Solon man, 33, who had his license still suspended on a prior impaired driving conviction, along with several open warrants. — Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 20 Aug. 2021

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.