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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Recent Examples of impairment
Total impairment across all three brand assets was $797 million.
—
Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
BCIs offer not only relief from physical and neurological impairments, but new and even superior control of computers and cybernetic devices.
—New Atlas, 1 Jan. 2026
Others have linked the drug to higher rates of depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, cognitive impairment, poor academic performance, cardiovascular problems and more.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
The couple’s passing also drew attention to the vulnerabilities faced by older adults living with advanced cognitive impairment.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impairment
Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
BCIs offer not only relief from physical and neurological impairments, but new and even superior control of computers and cybernetic devices.
—New Atlas, 1 Jan. 2026
Others have linked the drug to higher rates of depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, cognitive impairment, poor academic performance, cardiovascular problems and more.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025
The couple’s passing also drew attention to the vulnerabilities faced by older adults living with advanced cognitive impairment.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impairment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impairment
Noun
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Applicants should bring an MLGW bill in their name, a recent pay stub, a Social Security income statement or bank statement showing direct deposit, a valid Tennessee state ID or driver’s license to verify age and address, and any disability documentation, if applicable.—
Jack Armstrong,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
6 Jan. 2026
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Eligible individuals for this Meals on Wheels program must be homebound and aged 60 or older, unable to shop for or cook meals and who face challenges due to disability, illness or isolation.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Or perhaps the kill shot actually came in Week 1, when Brock Purdy picked up a nagging turf-toe injury that refused to properly heal for 10 weeks.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
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At tackle, Ben Taylor-Whitfield returns at right tackle, but who will man the left side with Ryan Hughes recovering from a season-ending injury?—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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These can cause severe scarring or disablement and may lead to amputations.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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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
Noun
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By March 2024, the state had already spent $3 million reimbursing ranchers for damages caused by wolves throughout the northern part of the state, as well as the cost of investing in nonlethal deterrents to keep them away, such as fencing, flags and other methods.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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Israeli attacks weakened Iran’s regional armed proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollahwhile US strikes dealt significant damage to the country’s nuclear program, which the government spent billions to develop.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impairment. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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