Synonyms of impairs

impairs

verb

present tense third-person singular of impair

as in damages

to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of

already impaired by a crack, the windshield shattered upon impact with the baseball

Synonyms & Similar Words

• damages
• injures
• mars
• weakens
• cripples
• erodes
• hurts
• compromises
• harms
• undermines
• disfigures
• destroys
• vitiates
• spoils
• breaks
• flaws
• defaces
• crosses (up)
• deteriorates
• bloodies
• shatters
• ruins
• blemishes
• crabs
• enfeebles
• enervates
• tarnishes
• wounds
• endamages
• demolishes
• disables
• blights
• devastates
• scours
• batters
• wears (away)
• botches
• wrecks
• mutilates
• maims
• annihilates
• decimates
• washes out
• mangles
• tortures
• smashes
• lacerates
• dents
• wastes
• torments
• crushes
• clobbers
• dings
• pulverizes
• gums (up)
• desolates
• razes
• hamstrings
• wipes out
• tears down
• queers
• lames
• bashes
• totals
• does in
• dints
• dashes
• scourges
• bangs up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repairs
• reconstructs
• doctors
• helps
• rebuilds
• reconditions
• renovates
• fixes
• mends
• revamps
• heals
• patches
• rectifies
• rehabilitates
• improves
• enhances
• cures
• remedies
• revises
• enriches
• ameliorates
• refines
• remodels
• edits
• perfects
• betters
• meliorates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of impairs

The delay, the filing notes, impairs Pewitt’s defense because the memories of witnesses fade and their availability is unknown, and the ability to find and re-examine physical evidence after 31 years is compromised. — Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Hwang suffered a traumatic brain injury from the attack, leading to ataxia, a neurological disorder that impairs movement and muscle control, and occasional seizures. — Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Punishment should be reserved for the guilty, not the sick, and postpartum psychosis, by definition, impairs a mother’s ability to process reality. — Uruj Kamal Haider, Time, 21 July 2026

That sounds simple, but leaders who are highly activated are often the least accurate at assessing their own state—the same activation that impairs judgment also impairs the ability to perceive that judgment is impaired. — Joy Nissen, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

The chronic disease, which impairs the body’s ability to properly regulate blood sugar, contributed to 94,445 deaths that year. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Cold water shock impairs breathing and can overwhelm even strong swimmers within seconds. — Kara Fox, CNN Money, 28 June 2026

Aphasia impairs a person's ability to speak. — Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 26 June 2026

Poor sleep impairs barrier function and slows the overnight repair window, and chronic sleep restriction visibly accelerates aging. — Allison Palmer updated June 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026