Impair: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to the weakening of strength, quality, or function, often related to health or capabilities.

• Loud noises can impair hearing.
• Drinking alcohol impairs your ability to drive.

Use when referring to making something less strong or less effective, often physically but also in abstract senses like arguments or feelings.

• The illness has weakened him.
• Constant criticism can weaken someone's confidence.

Use when referring to physical harm or destruction to objects, property, or less often to emotional harm. This word has negative connotations.

• The car was damaged in the accident.
• The scandal did a lot of damage to his reputation.

Use when referring to a decrease in size, strength, or importance over time. This word is often used in a more abstract sense.

• The medicine helped to diminish the symptoms.
• Over time, the importance of the issue diminished.

Used to describe something that weakens or damages a condition or function, often in a long-term or permanent way.

• His vision was impaired after the accident.
• Smoking can impair lung function.

Used when something causes delay or forces a slower progress, usually less intense and more temporary compared to 'impair'.

• The heavy traffic will hinder our arrival time.
• Lack of funds can hinder research and development.

Used when something blocks or prevents movement or progress, often used in physical contexts but can be metaphorical.

• A fallen tree obstructed the road.
• Bureaucratic red tape can obstruct business operations.

Used when something interrupts or causes disorder, typically in a sudden or dramatic way.

• The protesters disrupted the meeting.
• Bad weather can disrupt travel plans.