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impair

Definition of impairnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word impair distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of impair are damage, harm, hurt, injure, and mar. While all these words mean "to affect injuriously," impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution.

years of smoking had impaired his health

In what contexts can damage take the place of impair?

The meanings of damage and impair largely overlap; however, damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness.

a table damaged in shipping

When might harm be a better fit than impair?

While the synonyms harm and impair are close in meaning, harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss.

careful not to harm the animals

When could hurt be used to replace impair?

The words hurt and impair are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings.

hurt by their callous remarks

When is injure a more appropriate choice than impair?

Although the words injure and impair have much in common, injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success.

badly injured in an accident

When would mar be a good substitute for impair?

While in some cases nearly identical to impair, mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement.

the text is marred by many typos

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 impair Russia’s second front The most dangerous front in Europe this year will shift from the trenches in Donetsk to the hybrid war between Russia and NATO as Vladimir Putin seeks to erode European support for Ukraine before economic strain impairs his ability to prosecute the hot war. Ian Bremmer, Time, 6 Jan. 2026 The suspect is under investigation for causing a death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and driving while impaired through drugs or alcohol, authorities said. David Chiu, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026 If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2026 An expert testified that the stroke had impaired his ability for executive decision-making. Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impair
Verb
  • When Dobbins was first injured, a source close to him said the best-case scenario for his return was if the Broncos made the Super Bowl.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Dellandrea was injured in the Sharks’ game on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets as his right leg struck the post after he was inadvertently tripped while driving to the net.
    Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Stay away from windows as flying debris generated by damaging winds can be deadly.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
  • According to Brown, Hurricane Michael damaged 80 percent of the park’s namesake trees, but through a project with the Florida Park Service and Atlanta Botanical Garden, seeds obtained from living trees are being grown and planted in the ravine habitat at Torreya State Park.
    Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • This dynamic marred the 2012-13 Hurricane Sandy package and has recurred in other disaster bills, not because relief is illegitimate but because speed plus political cover invites provisions that would die in regular order.
    Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Sook’s comments followed Nexstar’s report of quarterly results, which were marred by the absence of political advertising compared with the same quarter in 2024.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Evergreen branches bent under the weight of snow are already weakened; sweeping down the length of the branch toward the ground adds to the stress and increases the potential for breakage.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
  • These policies impose devastating costs on American citizens, weakening our economy, increasing the national debt, straining public budgets and tearing families apart.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Both have endured crippling US sanctions that have precipitated economic collapses.
    Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
  • In November 2021, while massing troops along its border with Ukraine, Russia threatened to cripple GPS if NATO got in the way.
    Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • After all, there are signs that the economy is improving (unemployment and inflation are declining), but after the economic struggles of recent years, and with household debt still high, an additional financing source won't hurt, either.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Critics say the practice has driven up home prices and hurt affordability, but some housing experts argue the president’s proposal would have minimal effect on overall housing supply.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • And although lightweight, the shoe doesn’t compromise on support — it’s designed with a memory foam sole that absorbs impact and provides an extra layer of padding.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Autoliv and Tensor say their co-developed system is intended to remove those constraints without compromising safety.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Cultural, linguistic, and value-based assimilation challenges arise, potentially altering national identities and eroding civilizational confidence.
    Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
  • And policies that erode IP rights will ultimately slow the pace of innovation — and the prosperity that comes with it.
    David J. Kappos, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Impair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impair. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on impair

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