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: repair

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

/ ɪmˈpɛə /

verb

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

   his hearing was impaired by an accident

Derived Forms

• imˈpairment, noun
• imˈpairer, noun
• imˈpairable, adjective

Other Words From

• im·paira·ble adjective
• im·pairer noun
• im·pairment noun
• nonim·pairment noun
• preim·pairment noun
• self-im·paira·ble adjective
• self-im·pairing adjective
• unim·paira·ble adjective

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 pējōrāre, verb derivative of Latin pējor “worse”; pejoration )

Origin of impair²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of impair¹

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

Synonym Study

See injure.

Example Sentences

Providence St. Joseph Hospital entered an agreement Monday to comply with the California Emergency Services Law — which requires all hospitals to provide abortions if the failure to do so would place the patient’s health in serious jeopardy, seriously impair the patient’s bodily functions or result in serious dysfunction of any organ.

From Los Angeles Times

Sugar and inflammation impair your microbiome's ability to digest food and regulate metabolism.

From Salon

Within the first year of launching its heavily anticipated Cybertruck, Telsa announced a fifth recall for the electric vehicle, this time involving a delay in the rearview camera display that can impair a driver’s visibility and increase the risk of collision.

From Los Angeles Times

Research has further indicated that harsh and unpredictable environments, like those characterized by extreme heat, drought or storms, can impair social relationships and decision-making among adolescents, Clayton said.

From Los Angeles Times

Serial incoherence, lack of basic curiosity, pathological dishonesty, a tendency toward sadistic verbal abuses of many different kinds—all these things can also plainly be evaluated through the prism of whether they might impair someone from performing the job of president effectively.

From Salon

Related Words

• blunt
• damage
• debilitate
• decrease
• destroy
• diminish
• hurt
• lessen
• mar
• prejudice
• reduce
• spoil
• tarnish
• undermine
• weaken
• worsen