impairment

noun

Definition of impairmentnext
as in disability
a condition in which a part of your body or mind is damaged and does not work well Her mother had a hearing impairment that had become worse with age.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impairment Shortly after being born, Liam was diagnosed with microphthalmia, an eye condition that causes underdeveloped eyes and visual impairment. — Lillian Ashworth, Oc Register, 29 June 2026 There is still a lot of work ahead for the research team, but if the project succeeds, this technology could improve self-driving cars, make robots more adaptable, enhance advanced camera systems, and even serve as a vision aid for people with visual impairments. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 27 June 2026 The lawsuit emphasizes that the rule could force doctors to make complex work impairment assessments and lead to eligible individuals losing vital healthcare, shifting costs and confusion onto states. — Michelle Mbekeani, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 The victims have described being exposed to sensory phenomena such as pressure and noise coming from a specific location and developed brain trauma and a variety of other symptoms like vertigo, tinnitus, migraine, visual problems and cognitive impairment. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for impairment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impairment
  1. disability
  2. injury
  3. disablement
  4. damage
Noun
  • Elderly people and those with disabilities are less able to avoid rodents, especially at night.
    — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • The program supports people with limited income who are blind, age 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability.
    — Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
Definition of disability
Noun
  • In 2023, more than a decade after a experiencing season-ending racing injuries, Muniz decided to pursue his dream of NASCAR racing full-throttle and announced his return to stock car racing in the ARCA Menards Series.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Pulisic looked rusty while getting his first start since the group stage opener when he was subbed out at halftime with a calf injury.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of injury
Noun
  • These can cause severe scarring or disablement and may lead to amputations.
    — Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Playing Arnie, the younger brother to Gilbert (Johnny Depp), DiCaprio doesn’t permit his character to be a simple, adorable variation on disablement.
    — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Definition of disablement
Noun
  • Interruption of blood flow to the brain, which causes brain damage, claimed 166,852 American lives in 2024, per NCHS.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The filter plant beneath the pool flooded, resulting in damage to motors and other equipment.
    — Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of damage

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impairment
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Cite this Entry

“Impairment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impairment. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on impairment

Nglish: Translation of impairment for Spanish Speakers

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