impaired

1 of 2

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

impaired

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of impair

Synonyms of impaired

Adjective

• drunk
• drunken
• fried
• wet
• blind

Examples of impaired in a Sentence

Adjective

driving while impaired is against the law

special devices for sight-impaired visitors

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Panettiere wrote that she was told Kaya had microcephaly and could potentially be cognitively impaired. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026

The film is a collaborative work created with five visually impaired students at the National Institute for the Young Blind in Paris. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

In June, Mathers failed to appear for a sentencing and a bond modification hearing in the misdemeanor case and a probable cause conference in the third-offense impaired driving case. — Christina Hall, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026

Thomas Lobianco, 26, of Lake Ronkonkoma, who was allegedly behind the wheel, was arrested and charged with driving while ability impaired. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1582, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing impaired

• hearing-impaired
• visually impaired

Rhymes for impaired

• undeclared
• unimpaired
• unprepared
• unrepaired
• aired
• bared
• blared
• caird
• cared
• chaired
• dared
• erred

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