Impair

Quick meaning: Impair is a verb meaning (transitive) To weaken; to affect negatively; to have a diminishing effect on.

Meaning

(transitive) To weaken; to affect negatively; to have a diminishing effect on.

More Meanings

1. (intransitive, archaic) To grow worse; to deteriorate.
2. (obsolete) Not fit or appropriate; unsuitable.
3. (obsolete) The act of impairing or deteriorating.
4. (obsolete) The fact of being impaired or having grown worse.
5. (obsolete) An impairment or deterioration.

Example Sentences

Flesh may empaire,[…]but reason can repaire.

giues he not till iudgement guide his bounty, / Nor dignifies an impaire thought with breath:

In 2016, it was announced that Jones had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, a form of dementia that impairs the ability to communicate.

Suppoſe a mans credit ſhould ſuffer an impair with thoſe whoſe cenſure is not to be valued; yet think, which is worſe, ſhame or ſin? Wilt thou ſin againſt God to ſave thy credit?

Word Forms

• impairs
• impairing
• impaired

Synonyms for impair

Depending on context, synonyms include hinder, vitiate, spoil, deflower, mar.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include vitiate, mar, spoil, deflower, worsen, deteriorate.

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