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Definition of impair

impair

/ɪmˈpɛr/
im · pair
Adjective:impairable
•
Past Simple:impaired
•
Past Participle:impaired
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Present Participle:impairing
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impair Lexical Profile

impair Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To weaken, diminish, or damage (something, especially a faculty, function, or quality).

Example

"Prolonged sleep deprivation can severely impair a person's cognitive function and reaction time."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for impair
Antonyms
View all antonyms for impair

• Rhymes for impair

• Nearby Words

impact
impacted
impactful
impair
impaired
impairer
impairment

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English from Old French empeirier ('to make worse'), which derives from Late Latin impeiorare, formed from the prefix in- ('into, make') and Latin peior ('worse').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Impair. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/impair
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