impair

Synonym Chooser

How is the word impair distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of impair are damage, harm, hurt, injure, and mar. While all these words mean "to affect injuriously," impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.

years of smoking had impaired his health

In what contexts can damage take the place of impair?

The meanings of damage and impair largely overlap; however, damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.

a table damaged in shipping

When might harm be a better fit than impair?

While the synonyms harm and impair are close in meaning, harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.

careful not to harm the animals

When could hurt be used to replace impair?

The words hurt and impair are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.

hurt by their callous remarks

When is injure a more appropriate choice than impair?

Although the words injure and impair have much in common, injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.

badly injured in an accident

When would mar be a good substitute for impair?

While in some cases nearly identical to impair, mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.

the text is marred by many typos

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impair Swelling budget deficits, rising debt levels and a dysfunctional political system began impairing both the currency and U.S. Treasuries at least as far back as 2011. Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 2 May 2025 Meanwhile, Rajadhyaksha also highlighted that inbound tourism will likely be impaired going forward, with numerous airlines such as Southwest, American and Delta already pulling their 2025 forecasts . Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2025 Over time, the disease impairs muscle control until the patient becomes paralyzed. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025 These medicines impair testosterone production within the testicles. Matthew Wosnitzer, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impair
Verb
  • According to the Associated Press, no one was injured during the incident, citing court documents.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 14 May 2025
  • Two people were injured and a dozen apartments left uninhabitable following an early morning fire Wednesday at a three-story apartment building, the second residential fire in Elgin in less than a week.
    Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Without being able to urinate it out, like healthy people do, the ammonia would build up and damage first his brain and then his whole body.
    Karen Weintraub, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • All of the 37 public hospitals in Khartoum have been severely damaged and looted, Saad said.
    Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The Mavericks had a season marred by injuries and executed a trade that not only shocked the NBA but also enraged fans.
    Jason Jones, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • Finding an innovative, sustainable path to parity—without triggering the kind of prolonged labor disputes that have marred the sport’s past—will do far more for the game than any piece of equipment ever could.
    John Cairney, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Others may develop it after pregnancy, as the muscles and ligaments around the uterus can loosen or weaken.
    Brandi Jones, Health, 10 May 2025
  • This weakens their ability to tailor experiences and erodes marketing efficiency.
    Amit Jhawar, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.
    Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2023
  • Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.
    Anthony Maluso, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2023
Verb
  • Manu diving can hurt The researchers caution that the manu maneuver is not only difficult but can be risky and painful.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Anthony Edwards hurt his ankle late in the first quarter and spent the first few minutes of the second in the locker room but returned to the game, scoring 18 points.
    Anthony Slater, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • That may change if substantive progress isn’t seen in a few weeks; Vance and Rubio have stated numerous times that at some point, Washington will have no choice but to walk away if Zelenskyy and Putin are unable to compromise.
    Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
  • As ever, the problem remains that neither Russia nor Ukraine is currently willing to accept each other’s minimum terms, to compromise enough to satisfy the other side.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Yes, the minerals in hard water stains can eventually erode the metal fixtures and scratch the glass and tiles.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
  • But the collisions were brutal, eroding Means’ game in short time.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impair. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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