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.

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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 The child developed spastic cerebral palsy and was believed to have cerebral visual impairment. — Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 Substantial evidence links psychological stress to inflammation, barrier impairment and skin aging, which is why breakouts, sensitivity and dullness flare during hard weeks. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026 Symptoms of the disease include severe itching and disfiguring skin conditions, as well as visual impairment and even permanent blindness after lesions develop on one’s eyes. — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026 It is also linked to type 2 diabetes and cognitive impairment. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impairment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impairment

Noun

The spokesperson stressed that the agency will still require Head Start programs to provide support for mental and physical health, family and disability services and school readiness preparation, as is mandated by federal law.

— Maia Nehme, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
Benefits are also rising because more people are claiming disability and incapacity benefits.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of disability

Noun

How Doctors Diagnose and Treat It Health care providers use the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to classify trypanophobia as a specific phobia of the blood-injection-injury type.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
But with nearly half of the roster sidelined because of injuries or resting, Adou Thiero at least tried to inject some life into a sleepy preseason back-to-back.

— Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of injury

Noun

These can cause severe scarring or disablement and may lead to amputations.

— Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Playing Arnie, the younger brother to Gilbert (Johnny Depp), DiCaprio doesn’t permit his character to be a simple, adorable variation on disablement.

— Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025

Definition of disablement

Noun

About 788,000 workers a year made similar moves between 2019 and 2022, during the pandemic, without lasting damage, the report notes.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
Prosecutors said Sacramento police officers found the suspect vehicle with significant damage and human biological material on the vehicle’s driver’s side, roof and trunk.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of damage

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impairing

impairment

impairments

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Style

“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impairment. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impairment

noun

Example Sentences

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