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

The voluntary intoxication loophole means a person may be too impaired to make a meaningful choice and still fall outside the law’s protections for incapacity. — Ilana Turko, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026

Sleep has been shown to play an important role in clearing waste products linked to impaired brain function and Alzheimer's disease from the brain, according to the NIH. — Ava Tsapatsaris, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

Archuleta, whose granddaughter was killed by an impaired driver, said working to turn the bill into law was a personal fight for him. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Allegedly impaired driver slams into city bus The dual tragedies on Tuesday evening unfolded in rapid succession. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 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