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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Recent Examples of impairment
New research has found that heart attack survivors had a 5 percent higher yearly risk of developing cognitive impairment, compared with people who never had a heart attack — suggesting that protecting heart health may also help preserve brain function later in life.
—
Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 14 May 2026
State law also says that the couple seeking the surrogate must agree to take custody of the child regardless of any physical impairment.
—Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Meanwhile, police said an additional investigation, which is ongoing, is needed to determine whether impairment or speed contributed to the crash.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
The analyses of these complex neural pathways and the data could eventually unlock therapies for cognitive and emotional conditions, including dementia, mood disorders, and various impairments in cognitive control.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for impairment
Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 14 May 2026
State law also says that the couple seeking the surrogate must agree to take custody of the child regardless of any physical impairment.
—Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Meanwhile, police said an additional investigation, which is ongoing, is needed to determine whether impairment or speed contributed to the crash.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
The analyses of these complex neural pathways and the data could eventually unlock therapies for cognitive and emotional conditions, including dementia, mood disorders, and various impairments in cognitive control.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for impairment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impairment
Noun
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Help people develop, recover or regain the skills needed for daily living and working after an injury, illness, disability or mental health challenge.—
ByBryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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Hardship programs Some creditors offer temporary hardship assistance for borrowers who are facing financial challenges tied to retirement, disability or reduced income.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Noun
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The 49ers were limited by a plethora of injuries in those games, but the Seahawks had an elite defense, regardless.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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Following Parsons’ injury, the Packers lost five consective games to end their season.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
Noun
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These can cause severe scarring or disablement and may lead to amputations.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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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
Noun
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According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, PSP is caused by damage to nerve cells in areas of the brain that control thinking and body movements.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
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Progressive supranuclear palsy is a frontotemporal disorder caused by damage to nerve cells in areas of the brain that control thinking and body movements.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impairment. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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