impair

verb
im·​pair | \ im-ˈper How to pronounce impair (audio) \
impaired; impairing; impairs

Definition of impair

transitive verb

: to diminish in function, ability, or quality : to weaken or make worse It has been known for nearly 100 years that memory is impaired by bilateral damage to either of two brain regions …— Larry R. Squire The use of drugs further complicates the situation of these families and sometimes impairs their ability to raise children.— Ellen L. Bassuk … the prospect of generating normal profitability is impaired by excessive debt service.— John Nozell The physician also checks for signs of endometriosis, a condition in which the cells that normally compose the uterine lining grow outside the uterus, sometimes impairing fertility.— Martha Southgate

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Other Words from impair

impairer noun
… the overwhelming majority of hookups involved alcohol use—an impairer of sexual judgment if ever there was one … — Tiffany Sharples

Choose the Right Synonym for impair

injure, harm, hurt, damage, impair, mar mean to affect injuriously. injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success. badly injured in an accident harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss. careful not to harm the animals hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings. hurt by their callous remarks damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness. a table damaged in shipping impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution. years of smoking had impaired his health mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement. the text is marred by many typos

Examples of impair in a Sentence

Smoking can impair your health. Drinking impairs a person's ability to think clearly. His memory was so impaired by age that he often forgot where he was.
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Recent Examples on the Web

Because of that, there is no doubt that in the short-term, the inability of the west Londoners to sign players will significantly impair their chances of winning silverware. SI.com, "Frank Lampard Must Keep Faith in Chelsea's Emerging Youth - Despite Man Utd Thumping," 13 Aug. 2019 Matthew Packard, the state patrol chief, said the driver who struck and killed Modén was not impaired, had not been using his cell phone and did not have any mechanical defects in his pickup truck that would have led to the collision. Carina Julig, The Denver Post, "Colorado State Patrol says no charges will be filed in connection to death of Trooper William Modén," 8 Aug. 2019 Wenger is facing charges of tampering with evidence with intent to impair, and fraudulent use or possession of identification information. Scott Huddleston, ExpressNews.com, "Residents of San Antonio suburb sue to remove council members who were arrested," 7 Aug. 2019 The audio appeared to have been edited, leaving out other parts of the exchange that Dryad Global had released where a British officer is heard telling the Iranian Guard its forces must not impair, impede or obstruct the passage of the Stena Impero. CBS News, "Video shows Iranian guard warning U.K. warship on day tanker was seized: "Don't put your life in danger"," 29 July 2019 The male driver and female passenger, who was also impaired and seen throwing up, were taken into custody. Massarah Mikati, Houston Chronicle, "Drunk parents arrested by HPD with 2 children in car," 28 July 2019 Sixty-nine-year-old Pamela Prescod, who is visually impaired, requested a wheelchair and help deplaning due to various health issues, according to CTV News. Hanna Flanagan, PEOPLE.com, "Visually Impaired Woman, 69, 'Traumatized' After She Was Left Stranded on Air Canada Plane," 28 June 2019 So does ocean noise pollution impair their ability to communicate, to migrate, to mate? Longreads, "The Top 5 Longreads of the Week," 15 June 2019 By then, Spann was 37, and his father was in declining health, impaired by a condition known as alcohol dementia, brought on by years of alcohol abuse. Bob Carlton | Bcarlton@al.com, al.com, "The James Spann you never knew," 2 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impair.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of impair

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for impair

Middle English empeiren, from Anglo-French empeirer, from Vulgar Latin *impejorare, from Latin in- + Late Latin pejorare to make worse — more at pejorative

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More Definitions for impair

impairment

noun

Financial Definition of impairment

What It Is

The term impairment refers to assets that are no longer of the same value as in a prior period. An impairment charge is used and the asset is revalued downward and a "charge" is made to net assets.

How It Works

Impairment normally happens when the value of a company's goodwill declines in market value. Since the advent of FAS (Financial Accounting Standards) 141 and 142, the amortization of goodwill is no longer required, however periodic and annual impairment tests are now necessary. This can work both ways. The goodwill (asset) will stay on the books of the company indefinitely which helps EPS but if there is a market downturn on these assets, a write-down of the value of the asset (impairment charge) will be required which has immediate impact on the income of the company.

For example;

Goodwill Asset  Value (Year 0) $4,000,000

Impairment Test Results Value (Year 1) $3,000,000

Income Statement Impact/ Impairment Charge $1,000,000

Why It Matters

Under US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), tests of impairment are required annually. Thus, an internal control procedure must be established within companies that potentially have such exposure to ensure they are abiding by US GAAP. Failure to do so risks a qualified or adverse opinion from the companies’ auditors.

Source: Investing Answers

impair

verb
im·​pair | \ im-ˈper How to pronounce impair (audio) \
impaired; impairing

Kids Definition of impair

: to make less (as in quantity, value, or strength) or worse : damage Smoking can impair your health.