: 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
This understanding could also support therapies for people with impaired taste perception, by developing ways to boost flavor signaling through the nose.
—New Atlas, 20 Sep. 2025
One-third of all motorcycle fatalities involve impaired riders.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
This style of opening creates awkward access and impaired visibility of the contents within the cooler.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
This includes that elevated blood sugar levels lead to impaired immune function and individuals with diabetes are also more prone to specific types of infections like urinary tract infections, skin infections and pneumonia that can readily escalate into sepsis.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impaired
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New Atlas, 20 Sep. 2025
One-third of all motorcycle fatalities involve impaired riders.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
This style of opening creates awkward access and impaired visibility of the contents within the cooler.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
This includes that elevated blood sugar levels lead to impaired immune function and individuals with diabetes are also more prone to specific types of infections like urinary tract infections, skin infections and pneumonia that can readily escalate into sepsis.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 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 24 Sep. 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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