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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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 Savu restaurant is expected to have a ramp entry, however Nammo Beach Club is not accessible for those with a mobility impairment. — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026 After observing signs of impairment, the officers arrested the driver, the state patrol says. — Katie Meyers, CBS News, 30 June 2026 During those exercises, the arresting officer wrote that Zenk showed multiple signs of impairment, including balance issues, swaying and difficulty following instructions. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 The woman, who had begun to experience cognitive impairment, was hiking with a group of family and friends toward old train trestles in the area. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for impairment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impairment

Noun

Elderly people and those with disabilities are less able to avoid rodents, especially at night.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
The program supports people with limited income who are blind, age 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability.

— Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026

Definition of disability

Noun

Seigler remained down for several minutes, bleeding from one arm and grimacing in pain as interim manager Chad Tracy and trainers rushed out to check him for a head injury.

— Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026
Not bad considering his fight to find feel after missing most of last year with injuries and enduring a five-start slump from the end of May through the middle of June.

— Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026

Definition of injury

Noun

Modern networks are more resilient in disasters, an AT&T spokesman said, because they can be restored faster and are less vulnerable to damage and copper theft.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Nelson believes trials like this one are just the beginning of the future of regenerative medicine — and of a future where doctors will be able to repair brain damage.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Definition of damage

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impairing

impairment

impairments

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“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impairment. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of impairment

noun

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