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 Shortly before McGuff's arrest on a charge of operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI), a bystander called police to report someone in a 2013 Toyota Sequoia driving recklessly. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2025 For 50 years federal agencies and the public have rightfully understood harm to include significant habitat modification or degradation that kills or injures wildlife by impairing important behaviors like breeding, feeding or sheltering. Elise Bennett, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2025 His judgment about this mechanical Shakespeare was as impaired as his later judgment of the actual Shakespeare. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025 Cops charged him with driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired and refusing to take a Breathalyzer test. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for impair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impair
Verb
  • Several people were injured in a boat crash in the Hamptons on Sunday night, and the boat’s captain was arrested for boating under the influence, police said.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
  • At least 12 people were killed and dozens injured in the attacks.
    Jackie Northam, NPR, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • No one was hurt but the Toyota 4Runner the men were inside and another vehicle were damaged.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
  • In addition to direct contact, Toxoplasma may also damage sperm because the infection promotes chronic inflammation.
    Bill Sullivan, The Conversation, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • However, relatively decent growth fueled by Putin's record military spending has been marred by inflation and a worker shortage impacted by those fleeing the draft and troop losses in Ukraine as experts warn of longer terms problems for the economy.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
  • Albania, which has started full membership negotiations with the European Union, has been plagued in its post-communist era with corruption that has marred its democratic, economic and social development.
    Llazar Semini, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • In Colorado, for example, several AI companies recently lobbied to delay and weaken the state’s landmark AI accountability legislation — a preview of what unchecked industry influence could look like under a regulatory freeze.
    Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Their backing from the youngest voters weakened in 2024 (Catalist).
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 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
  • But potential changes to trade privileges would hurt them Strydom was part of Orania’s delegation to the US in late March to push for this goal.
    Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • By producing an affordable pair of multi-driver IEMs, without compromising on sound and build quality, Noble Audio hopes to bag a slice of this growing market.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Just remember: Collaboration doesn’t mean compromising your values.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • These changes threaten to erode biodiversity and make survival even harder for freshwater and land turtle populations.
    Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Apple might be able to strike a deal with the administration — despite the eroding relationship — or challenge the tariffs in court.
    Kif Leswing, CNBC, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impair. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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