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 How many of those people have recurring and impairing sleep paralysis isn’t clear, but the percentage is likely low, Jalal said. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 8 June 2025 This is when trauma impairs emotional regulation and thinking, causing repetitive, distressing behaviors. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 None of the officers, aside from Gazzola, reported seeing signs that Pino was impaired. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025 Marijuana smokers had lower NO levels in the endothelial cells compared to non-users, suggesting that regular marijuana use could impair endothelial function and blood vessel health. Paul McClure 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for impair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impair
Verb
  • In May 2021, Ariely’s home was destroyed in a barrage of rocket fire from Gaza that killed two women and injured more than 90 people.
    Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 19 June 2025
  • The conflict entered its seventh day on Thursday, with Iran launching a strike that hit a major hospital in Israel, injuring at least 240 people and causing extensive damage.
    Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • There is radiological and chemical contamination at the Natanz facility, where an above-ground portion of the fuel enrichment plant was damaged after a military strike on June 13, International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi told the United Nations Security Council on Friday.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 June 2025
  • Worn restorations: Dental fillings, crowns, and restorations can also become damaged or worn over time, exposing dentin and raising the risk of tooth decay.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • They were marred by injuries throughout the season, having entered the season with somewhat high expectations.
    Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • Once a peaceful area for walking and cycling, it’s now marred by dilapidated vehicles, trash and environmental hazards — posing serious health and safety concerns.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Since then, a series of shifts has reshaped the Middle East and weakened Iran and its proxies, the war in Gaza, Israel's decimation of the leadership of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the collapse of the Syrian regime, and now Israel's surprise attack.
    / CBS News, CBS News, 15 June 2025
  • Should the economy unexpectedly weaken, larger and sooner cuts are possible.
    Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 15 June 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
  • This would hurt even the most polished comedy or the most clockwork heist movie, let alone one that hopes to be both.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 26 June 2025
  • Ohtani has provided a critical bat at the top of the Dodgers' order and there was some concern that adding a pitching workload might hurt his offensive production.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The answer was clear—a breach that compromised credit card data and cost us our PCI DSS compliance, threatening both our reputation and our ability to process payments.
    Aleksandr Yampolskiy, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Once the user follows through, the system is compromised without needing a traditional exploit.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Opaque brokerage fees can erode returns, while fraud is a constant risk.
    Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Critics warned that such measures could erode due process rights and destabilize the legal status of millions of permanent residents.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impair. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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