IMPAIRMENT Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

impairment

noun

Definition of impairment

as in disability

a condition in which a part of your body or mind is damaged and does not work well Her mother had a hearing impairment that had become worse with age.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 impairment Lead poisoning causes cognitive impairment and difficulty with memory formation. — Joe Holberg, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 By far, the substantial supervision test, the cognitive impairment prong, is the most common pathway. — James Lange, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Competing in the coordination impairment category, Martin was born with bilateral neurogenic club feet. — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2026 Almost half live with four or more chronic health conditions that can cause functional or cognitive impairments. — Susan Jaffe, NPR, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for impairment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impairment

Noun

Both McGraw and Rauscher have had degrees of disability and health problems as a result of that exposure.

— Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
The rebrand reflects a broader shift in how the disability community wants to be represented, and who gets to make that call.

— Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of disability

Noun

But his injury also comes as the Hawks’ roster has had a lot of turnover across the last two years.

— Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
Debris from the interceptions fell in several locations but no injuries or damage were reported, the Jordanian Armed Forces said, according to the state news agency Petra.

— Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Definition of injury

Noun

The Pentagon may have reduced public information about US casualties and damage to its facilities, but both remain a risk and a reality.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller has declared an agricultural emergency, allowing the department to provide resources to help farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses recover from the widespread flood damage.

— Mary Ella Hastings July 16, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026

Definition of damage

Browse Nearby Words

impairing

impairment

impairments

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impairment. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of impairment

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on impairment

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

maverick

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes