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 Police said in a social media post that officers contacted the man at the scene and observed signs of possible impairment from a central nervous system stimulant. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 The cause of the crash is not known, but police believe impairment might have been a factor, according to MSP. — CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 Accessibility for those with mobility impairments Two of the villas—one Dune One-Bedroom Pool Villa and one Dune Two-Bedroom Pool Villa—are wheelchair accessible. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Residents took part alongside professional actors playing people with cognitive impairments. — Elissa Suh, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impairment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impairment

Noun

In emails to the city, Open Doors emphasized that the organization provides services to people who experience disability conditions, including ones related to substance use and mental health.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
Also exposed was information about student disabilities and student eligibility status for federal programs, such as those available to help students from low-income families.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of disability

Noun

The ship’s 21 crew members were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
His injuries were deemed non-life-threatening, and police said he is being taken to a Dallas-area hospital for further treatment.

— Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 14 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

impairing

impairment

impairments

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“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impairment. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impairment

noun

Example Sentences

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