: 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
Finding jobs can be difficult for visually impaired adults. About 70 percent of them are unemployed, the National Federation of the Blind says.—Eric Aasen
… some GERD patients have impaired gut motility, meaning that their stomachs empty too slowly.—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
Synonyms of impaired
Examples of impaired in a Sentence
driving while impaired is against the law
special devices for sight-impaired visitors
Recent Examples on the Web
Even moderate drinking can cause metabolic stress, inflammation, impaired detoxification and hormonal shifts, Hyman said, which can affect nearly every organ system in the body.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
On Thursday, Bellorin pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and driving while impaired.
—Julia Coin
january 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2026
Sweet also smelled strongly of alcohol and had slurred speech, bloodshot, glassy eyes and impaired memory, Talbot wrote in the affidavit.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 6 Jan. 2026
An impaired driver was arrested and charged for a Sunday morning crash that left two dead and two others injured in Howard County, according to the Maryland State Police.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impaired
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Cite this Entry
“Impaired.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impaired. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Kids 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
Finding jobs can be difficult for visually impaired adults.—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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