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View synonyms for

impair

1

[ im-pair ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to make or cause to become worse; diminish in ability, value, excellence, etc.; weaken or damage:

    to impair one's health;

    to impair negotiations.

    Antonyms:



verb (used without object)

  1. to grow or become worse; lessen.

noun

  1. Archaic. impairment.

impair

2

[ an-per ]

adjective

French.
  1. noting any odd number, especially in roulette. Compare pair.

impair

/ ɪˈɛə /

verb

  1. tr to reduce or weaken in strength, quality, etc

    his hearing was impaired by an accident

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ貹Գ, noun
  • ˈ貹, noun
  • ˈ貹, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ·貹a· adjective
  • ·貹İ noun
  • ·貹mԳ noun
  • non·貹mԳ noun
  • pre·貹mԳ noun
  • self-·貹a· adjective
  • -·貹iԲ adjective
  • un·貹a· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of impair1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English empairen, empeiren “to make worse,” from Middle French empeirer, from em- im- 1 + peirer “to make worse” (from Late Latin ŧō, verb derivative of Latin ŧǰ “wǰ”; pejoration )

Origin of impair2

First recorded in 1820–30; from French: literally, “odd,” from Latin “odd, unequal”; equivalent to im- 2( def ) + pair 2( def )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of impair1

C14: from Old French empeirer to make worse, from Late Latin ŧǰāre, from Latin pejor worse; see pejorative
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Synonym Study

See injure.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The Health Services Safety Investigations Body said medication errors, impaired decision-making, reduced attention and rude and disrespectful behaviour were the most common problems associated with fatigued staff in hospitals.

From

“We don't want women's lives to be destroyed because their bodies have been seriously impaired by medical emergencies during their pregnancies.”

From

Kennedy’s fans played the “what he really meant to say” game on social media, arguing that he was referring only to the most seriously impaired.

From

On its website, Elemetal says its specialized facilities melt gold sources such as scrap jewelry and impaired bullion to separate impurities and obtain refined gold.

From

However the judge told Prosper that any condition did not "impair your ability to understand the nature of your conduct, exercise self-control or form rational judgments when you decided to commit violent crimes".

From

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