Impaired — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective verb /im-ˈperd/ im·paired

Meaning & Definition of Impaired

Impaired (adjective)

  1. being in an imperfect or weakened state or condition
  2. diminished in function or ability, lacking full functional or structural integrity
  3. unable to function normally or safely (as when operating a motor vehicle) because of intoxication by alcohol or drugs

Impaired (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being under the influence of alcohol

    "driving while impaired is against the law"

    similar: 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, stewed, stiff, stinking (slang), stoned, tanked (slang), tiddly (chiefly British), tight, tipsy, wasted (slang), wet, wiped out (slang), in one's cups, in the bag (slang), three sheets in the wind, under the influence, under the weather
    related: maudlin, beery, befuddled, bleary-eyed, crapulous, dopey, rocky, strung out, stupefied, debauched, dissipated, dissolute, alcoholic, bibulous, dipsomaniacal
    opposite: sober, straight
    near: abstemious, abstinent, dry, temperate, teetotal, clearheaded, cool, level, steady

  2. deprived of the power to perform one or more natural bodily activities

    "special devices for sight-impaired visitors"

    similar: differently abled, disabled, exceptional
    related: special-needs, hemiplegic, paralyzed, paraplegic, quadriplegic, immobile, immobilized, ailing, diseased, ill, incapacitated, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound, unwell
    opposite: able-bodied, abled, nondisabled, unimpaired
    near: bouncing, chipper, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, robust, sound, well, whole, wholesome

Impaired (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of

    "already impaired by a crack, the windshield shattered upon impact with the baseball"

    similar: blemished, bloodied, broke, compromised, crabbed, crippled, crossed (up), damaged, defaced, disfigured, endamaged, flawed, harmed, hurt, injured, marred, spoiled, vitiated
    related: deteriorated, enervated, enfeebled, undermined, weakened, eroded, scoured, washed out, wore (away), blighted, tarnished, dented, dinged, dinted, botched, gummed (up), queered, lacerated, wounded, disabled, hamstrung, lamed, maimed, mangled, mutilated, tormented, tortured, annihilated, banged up, bashed, battered, clobbered, crushed, dashed, decimated, demolished, desolated, destroyed, devastated, did in, pulverized, razed, ruined, scourged, shattered, smashed, tore down, totaled, wasted, wiped out, wrecked
    opposite: doctored, fixed, mended, patched, rebuilt, reconditioned, reconstructed, renovated, repaired, revamped
    near: cured, healed, helped, rectified, rehabilitated, remedied, edited, remodeled, revised, ameliorated, bettered, enhanced, enriched, improved, meliorated, perfected, refined

Related Entry: Impair (verb)

Impair is a different word from Impaired. The synonyms below are for impair, not for impaired.

  1. to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of

    "already impaired by a crack, the windshield shattered upon impact with the baseball"

    similar: blemish, bloody, break, compromise, crab, cripple, cross (up), damage, deface, disfigure, endamage, flaw, harm, hurt, injure, mar, spoil, vitiate
    related: deteriorate, enervate, enfeeble, undermine, weaken, erode, scour, wash out, wear (away), blight, tarnish, dent, ding, dint, botch, gum (up), queer, lacerate, wound, disable, hamstring, lame, maim, mangle, mutilate, torment, torture, annihilate, bang up, bash, batter, clobber, crush, dash, decimate, demolish, desolate, destroy, devastate, do in, pulverize, raze, ruin, scourge, shatter, smash, tear down, total, waste, wipe out, wreck
    opposite: doctor, fix, mend, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, renovate, repair, revamp
    near: cure, heal, help, rectify, rehabilitate, remedy, edit, remodel, revise, ameliorate, better, enhance, enrich, improve, meliorate, perfect, refine

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Impaired

The most common words with a similar meaning to Impaired:

Slang: blasted, blitzed, blotto, canned, hammered, juiced, loaded, oiled, potted, ripped, sloshed, smashed
Chiefly British: tiddly
besotted, blind, bombed, boozy, cockeyed, crocked, drunk, drunken, fried, gassed, high, inebriate, inebriated, intoxicated, lit, lit up, looped, pickled, pie-eyed, plastered, sottish, soused, sozzled, squiffed, stewed, stiff, stoned, tight, tipsy, wet, differently abled, disabled, exceptional, in one's cups, three sheets in the wind, under the influence, under the weather, blemished, bloodied, broke

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Impaired

Words with the opposite meaning of Impaired:

sober, straight, able-bodied, abled, nondisabled, unimpaired, doctored, fixed, mended, patched, rebuilt, reconditioned, reconstructed, renovated, repaired, revamped

Related Words for Impaired

maudlin, beery, befuddled, bleary-eyed, crapulous, dopey, rocky, strung out, stupefied, debauched, dissipated, dissolute, alcoholic, bibulous, dipsomaniacal, special-needs, hemiplegic, paralyzed, paraplegic, quadriplegic, immobile, immobilized, ailing, diseased, ill, incapacitated, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound

Near Antonyms of Impaired

abstemious, abstinent, dry, temperate, teetotal, clearheaded, cool, level, steady, bouncing, chipper, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, robust, sound, well, whole, wholesome, cured, healed, helped, rectified, rehabilitated, remedied, edited, remodeled, revised, ameliorated

Origin & Etymology of Impaired

First known use: 1582

Words & Phrases Containing Impaired

hearing-impaired, visually impaired

Frequently Asked Questions about Impaired

What does "Impaired" mean?

"Impaired" means being in an imperfect or weakened state or condition. As an an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: being in an imperfect or weakened state or condition. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Impaired"?

Other words for "Impaired" include besotted, blasted, blind, blitzed, blotto, bombed, boozy and canned. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Impaired" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Impaired"?

There are 151 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Impaired". Common alternatives include besotted, blasted, blind, blitzed, blotto, bombed, boozy, canned, cockeyed and crocked.

What is a slang word for "Impaired"?

Slang words for "Impaired" include blasted, blitzed, blotto, canned, hammered and juiced.

What is the opposite of "Impaired"?

Antonyms of "Impaired" include sober, straight, able-bodied, abled, nondisabled, unimpaired, doctored and fixed. Near antonyms include abstemious, abstinent, dry and temperate.

How do you use "Impaired" in a sentence?

Examples of "Impaired" in a sentence: "driving while impaired is against the law"; "special devices for sight-impaired visitors"; "already impaired by a crack, the windshield shattered upon impact with the baseball".

Is "Impaired" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Impaired" can be used as an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Impaired"?

"Impaired" is pronounced /im-ˈperd/ and divided into syllables as im·paired.