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 Woodrow has been charged with one count of failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in serious impairment or death. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 Accessibility for those with mobility impairments An 11th-century castle, however thoughtfully repurposed, remains a challenging environment for those with mobility impairments. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026 When signs of cognitive impairment start to show, older adults may need someone to help manage their money, according to the center. — Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026 So discovering that smokers are less likely to develop a serious neurological impairment that affects millions worldwide has left medical experts scratching their heads. — Mike McRae 10, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impairment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impairment

Noun

Soto, who has an associate degree in business and works with families who have loved ones with disabilities.

— Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
And families of children with disabilities — of which there are a growing number nationwide — often struggle to find childcare providers that can offer the specialized care necessary.

— Joe Hernandez, NPR, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of disability

Noun

But it’s all revealed to be a classic emotional bait-and-switch when Gemma suffers a potentially career-ending injury.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
The Panthers could use the linebacker depth after reserve LB Claudin Cherelus also suffered an injury against the Falcons and left Sunday’s contest early.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 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

The report said the school was the intended point of impact, and the resulting damage wasn't the result of an errant strike or collateral damage from an attack on a compound of Iran's Revolutionary Guard next to the school.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
Knowing sooner that fibroids could cause this much damage to my fertility could have changed things.

— As told to Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of damage

Browse Nearby Words

impairing

impairment

impairments

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Style

“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impairment. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of impairment

noun

Example Sentences

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