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 Nahhat is charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in serious impairment or death, lying to a police officer and commission of a felony with a motor vehicle. — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 Police said alcohol or drug impairment was not a factor in the collision. — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Troopers alleged that Daza Olivas was showing signs of possible impairment, according to state police. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 Aug. 2026 Other differences abound, including how clubs treat impairments (write-downs) of player values and what figure is included as revenue in the respective calculations. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impairment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impairment

Noun

This is the year to consider benchmarking your work benefits, including disability income insurance.

— Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Cole told me that once, when King’s work was included in a group show whose only common theme was disability, King had acted visibly miffed.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of disability

Noun

Parten said two police officers were wounded by gunfire and another had unspecified injuries.

— Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Players can also request a three-minute medical time-out for each injury that occurs — which could include overheating symptoms such as dizziness or cramps.

— Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of injury

Noun

After the demonstrations, the cutting edge remained intact, with no visible chipping or major edge damage.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
The province of Jijel, 200 kilometers (125 miles) east of Algiers, renowned for its fine sandy beaches, turquoise waters and hills of olive trees and fruit trees and cedars, has suffered the greatest damage.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of damage

Browse Nearby Words

impairing

impairment

impairments

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Style

“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impairment. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of impairment

noun

Example Sentences

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