1
as in drunk
being under the influence of alcohol
driving while impaired is against the law
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disabled
deprived of the power to perform one or more natural bodily activities
special devices for sight-impaired visitors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in damaged
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
already impaired by a crack, the windshield shattered upon impact with the baseball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impaired
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 6 Jan. 2026
An impaired driver was arrested and charged for a Sunday morning crash that left two dead and two others injured in Howard County, according to the Maryland State Police.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 22 Dec. 2025
Her brother had fluid build-up in his brain that sometimes impaired his ability to walk.
—Sophie Comeau, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impaired
Adjective
Sweet also smelled strongly of alcohol and had slurred speech, bloodshot, glassy eyes and impaired memory, Talbot wrote in the affidavit.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 6 Jan. 2026
An impaired driver was arrested and charged for a Sunday morning crash that left two dead and two others injured in Howard County, according to the Maryland State Police.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
There’s no reason to get behind the wheel impaired, especially with AAA’s free holiday season offerings.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 22 Dec. 2025
Her brother had fluid build-up in his brain that sometimes impaired his ability to walk.
—Sophie Comeau, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impaired
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impaired
Adjective
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Reading Cassandra’s voice is like reading The Bell Jar’s Esther if Esther were drunk on brandy half the time.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
As thousands of medical caregivers walked off the job Monday in what became the largest nurses’ strike in New York City history, officials at a major hospital accused the nurses’ union of making unreasonable demands — including protections for nurses who come to work drunk or high.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Daou’s husband, Alain – who is also disabled and uses a wheelchair – removed the item’s tags and stayed behind to pay for it.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
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Last year, she was moved to a prison hundreds of miles from her disabled mother, who is seriously ill and scheduled to undergo brain surgery this spring.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The 13 apartments were damaged by fire, smoke or water.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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But overloading the dishwasher can result in dirty dishes that need to be put through a second cycle to get clean, and dishes that are crammed in may become damaged.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The play saw the actors star as two strangers who have a drunken one-night stand after meeting at a wedding.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
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Arizona is home to some of the nation's strictest laws on drunken driving.—
Shelby Slade,
AZCentral.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Damazio, a claiming-level 7-year-old gelding, was injured and threw jockey Adrian Escobedo in the second race last Sunday.—
Kevin Modesti,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
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Santos injured Third-year wing Gui Santos has been a source of energy for the Warriors, often sparking the team with offensive boards and other effort plays that do not show up on the stat sheet.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Pretzels are often marketed as a better-for-you snack compared to richer, fried alternatives like potato chips.—
Brianna Tobritzhofer,
Health,
30 Dec. 2025
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The fries were tallow fried and incredibly crisp, which is rare to find since most restaurants use seed oils.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Ugandan authorities implemented an internet blackout ahead of the 2021 election, which was marred by pre-election violence and rights abuses, according to observers.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
14 Jan. 2026
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The process has been marred by complaints about its slow pace and by concerns over the physical condition of some of those freed after years in detention.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Hydroplaning is when a vehicle starts uncontrollably sliding on wet roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
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While its calf-skimming height is great for tucking in leggings and pants (therefore keeping hems dry in wet winter weather), its slim silhouette also fits seamlessly under wide-leg jeans and relaxed pants.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impaired.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impaired. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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