: 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
Charges range from misdemeanors to felony offenses and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, and jail time.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
The agency will offer free rides to impaired drivers through their Tow to Go service.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 23 May 2025
In clearing the new blood test, the FDA evaluated a clinical study that measured 499 samples from adults who were cognitively impaired.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Jones was sentenced to a maximum of over 20 years in prison on the second-degree murder charge and more than three months on the driving while impaired charge, officials said.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for impaired
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Josh Max, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
The agency will offer free rides to impaired drivers through their Tow to Go service.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 23 May 2025
In clearing the new blood test, the FDA evaluated a clinical study that measured 499 samples from adults who were cognitively impaired.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Jones was sentenced to a maximum of over 20 years in prison on the second-degree murder charge and more than three months on the driving while impaired charge, officials said.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 30 June 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 23 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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