impaired

adjective

im·​paired im-ˈperd 

: 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

• besotted
• blasted [slang]
• blind
• blitzed [slang]
• blotto [slang]
• bombed
• boozy
• canned [slang]
• cockeyed
• crocked
• drunk
• drunken
• fried
• gassed
• hammered [slang]
• high
• inebriate
• inebriated
• intoxicated
• juiced [slang]
• lit
• lit up
• loaded [slang]
• looped
• oiled [slang]
• pickled
• pie-eyed
• plastered
• potted [slang]
• ripped [slang]
• sloshed [slang]
• smashed [slang]
• sottish
• soused
• sozzled
• squiffed
• squiffy
• stewed
• stiff
• stinking [slang]
• stoned
• tanked [slang]
• tiddly [chiefly British]
• tight
• tipsy
• wasted [slang]
• wet
• wiped out [slang]

Examples of impaired in a Sentence

driving while impaired is against the law

special devices for sight-impaired visitors

Recent Examples on the Web

The sheriff added that, based on a preliminary investigation, the driver didn’t appear to be impaired. —Danielle Jennings, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024

Police arrested Cuadrado, who lives in Castle Hill, following the accident and charged him with criminally negligent homicide, vehicular manslaughter, vehicular assault, driving while intoxicated and driving while ability impaired. —Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 16 Nov. 2024

Justin Timberlake Justin Timberlake was arrested for alleged DWI in Sag Harbor Justin Timberlake addresses public after plea deal in DWI case Pop star Justin Timberlake spoke to reporters outside the courthouse about drunk driving after pleading guilty to driving while ability impaired. —Lauryn Overhultz, Fox News, 13 Sep. 2024

Achieving a 30% reduction in fatalities will require immediate implementation and strict enforcement of traffic laws, particularly those related to speeding, seat-belt use and distracted and impaired driving. —Steve Kiefer, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing impaired

• hearing-impaired
• visually impaired

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