: being in an imperfect or weakened state or condition: such as
a
: diminished in function or ability : lacking full functional or structural integrity
Brennan supports the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of inflammation, swelling, pain and impaired joint movement.—
Stan Bergstein
Stan BergsteinFinding jobs can be difficult for visually impaired adults. About 70 percent of them are unemployed, the National Federation of the Blind says.—Eric Aasen
Eric Aasen… some GERD patients have impaired gut motility, meaning that their stomachs empty too slowly.—Andrew Weil
Andrew Weil
b
: unable to function normally or safely (as when operating a motor vehicle) because of intoxication by alcohol or drugs
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is the safety advertisement that restaurants and bars will use to remind patrons of the dangers of driving impaired.—Mati Spencer
Mati SpencerExamples of impaired in a Sentence
driving while impaired is against the law
special devices for sight-impaired visitors
Recent Examples on the Web
Standardized tests sanctioned by the American Psychological Association can be invaluable aids to revealing whether decision-making parts of the brain are impaired.
—Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
For instance, in the life insurance industry, a product should not only ensure healthy individuals but all those who are impaired and in dire need of insurance.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
After a series of field sobriety tests on the boat, an FWC officer determined Todd White, 57, was impaired.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
The water board has also included the Tijuana River on the EPA’s Clean Water Act list of impaired waters.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impaired
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Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
For instance, in the life insurance industry, a product should not only ensure healthy individuals but all those who are impaired and in dire need of insurance.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
After a series of field sobriety tests on the boat, an FWC officer determined Todd White, 57, was impaired.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
The water board has also included the Tijuana River on the EPA’s Clean Water Act list of impaired waters.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impaired
Cite this Entry
“Impaired.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impaired. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impaired
adjective
im·paired
-ˈpa(ə)rd 
-ˈpe(ə)rd
: being in an imperfect or weakened state or condition: such as
a
: diminished in function or ability : lacking full functional or structural integrity
impaired heart action
b
: intoxicated by alcohol or drugs
driving while impaired
Medical Definition
impaired
adjective
: being in an imperfect or weakened state or condition: as
a
: diminished in function or ability : lacking full functional or structural integrity
Brennan supports the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of inflammation, swelling, pain and impaired movement.—Stan Bergstein
Stan BergsteinFinding jobs can be difficult for visually impaired adults.—Eric Aasen
Eric Aasen
b
: unable to function normally or safely (as when operating a motor vehicle) because of intoxication by alcohol or drugs
driving while impaired
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