impaired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impaired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a condition where something is weakened, damaged, or not functioning properly, often in relation to health or abilities. Example: "The patient's vision was impaired due to the injury."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When the energy supply to the heart is impaired, it struggles to pump blood to all the organs, and then these malfunction.

The Guardian

The flavour won't be impaired, he adds, "if they're three days, five days or even 14 days old".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In Kampot, visually impaired masseurs offer soothing treatments at Seeing Hands, and there's a chilled vibe and decent coffee to enjoy at Epic Arts Cafe, run by deaf and disabled workers.

The Guardian - Travel

These are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, a rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function and in some cases internal and external bleeding.

The Guardian

Two weeks ago Hill, an intellectually disabled man who has displayed symptoms of impaired mental capacity since he was a child, was served a warrant for his execution.

The Guardian

She is the fourth of five children, and her parents estimate that she is aged 11. Rose had an accident when she was a baby that left her sight severely impaired, and lack of access to health care means her sight worsened over the years.

The Guardian

As a result, when you're stressed you may find your ability to multi-task and remember things is impaired.

The Guardian

Photograph: Mike Bowers for The Guardian Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 4.16pm AESThe:16 The senate has just passed a motion by Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson calling on the government to sign the Marrakesh Treaty which facilitates access to published works to be produced in a format for the blind and visually impaired.

The Guardian

The jury found that these symptoms had not substantially impaired his rational judgment.

The Guardian

While Georgia requires a standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt", all other states say that it must be "by a preponderance of the evidence" – that is, a prisoner must be most likely to be intellectually impaired.

The Guardian

The physical consequence of stroke is a horrifying catalogue of damage that includes personality changes, impaired sensation, paralysis, incontinence, visual or language problems, deafness, blindness and seizures.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific type of impairment, be precise. For example, instead of saying someone's ability is "impaired", specify "visually impaired" or "cognitively impaired" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "impaired" as a catch-all term. If you know the specific nature of the impairment (e.g., motor skills, memory), use a more descriptive term to provide a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "impaired" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a state of reduced functionality or damage. Ludwig examples show it describing abilities, judgment, and physical conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

29%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "impaired" functions as an adjective, describing a state of reduced functionality or damage. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common across diverse contexts like News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. When writing, precision is key; specifying the type of impairment (e.g., "visually impaired") enhances clarity. Avoid overgeneralization by using more descriptive terms when possible. Synonyms like "diminished" or "compromised" can add nuance. Overall, "impaired" serves as a versatile term for indicating deficiency or diminished function, ensuring effective communication when used thoughtfully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

debilitated

Describes a state of being weakened or infirm, often due to illness or injury, which is a more severe form of "impaired".

diminished

Indicates a reduction in quality, strength, or power; less severe than "impaired".

compromised

Highlights a reduction in the ability to function properly, similar to "impaired" but often used in more formal contexts.

weakened

Suggests a reduction in strength or effectiveness, implying a less severe state than being "impaired".

deficient

Indicates a lack or shortage, often in a specific area, implying a specific deficit rather than general impairment.

damaged

Focuses on physical harm or negative impact, differing from "impaired" which can also apply to function.

flawed

Points to an imperfection or defect, suggesting a specific issue that leads to impairment.

lessened

Implies a reduction in degree or intensity, which may not always mean a functional deficit as "impaired" does.

reduced

Describes a decrease in quantity or extent, but doesn't inherently imply a negative impact on function like "impaired".

affected

Suggests influence or impact, not necessarily resulting in a loss of function as "impaired" indicates.

FAQs

How can I use "impaired" in a sentence?

You can use "impaired" to describe a state where something is weakened or damaged, such as "His judgment was impaired by alcohol" or "The injury impaired her ability to walk".

What is a synonym for "impaired"?

Alternatives to "impaired" include "diminished", "weakened", or "compromised", depending on the context.

What does it mean to be "visually impaired"?

"Visually impaired" refers to having a reduced or limited ability to see. This term is often used as a more polite alternative to "blind" or "partially sighted".

How does "impaired" differ from "disabled"?

"Impaired" typically describes a specific functional limitation, whereas "disabled" refers to a broader condition that may result from an impairment and affect a person's ability to participate in everyday activities.