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
• imˈpairable, adjective
• imˈpairer, noun

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

Instead, it’s more consistent with the idea that repeated cold exposure might actually impair your toes’ ability to handle the cold.

From Outside Online

A smart pill detects an athlete’s body temperature and transmits it to an external device, so coaches can look for spikes that might impair performance.

From Washington Post

Another study from 2017 had athletes eat a low-carb diet for three weeks and found that it impaired performance by reducing exercise efficiency.

From Outside Online

Alterations to hotels, public buildings and transport hubs prepared Tokyo not only for physically impaired Paralympic athletes and fans, but also for the creaking limbs of its own population, the world’s oldest.

From Time

Stress actually impairs the body’s ability to repair itself.

From Nautilus

Formerly to impair the morals was a minor was a punishable offense.

From The Daily Beast

In other words, researchers were able to prove that THC should, technically, impair driving, but not that it does.

From The Daily Beast

Does Ambien impair judgment enough to drive one to violent crime?

From The Daily Beast

A host of environmental influences more directly impair brain functioning in a way that predisposes to violence.

From The Daily Beast

But recent research indicates that stress-inducing measures can actually impair memory.

From The Daily Beast

They can never be taken from the capital, for this would impair it and, if continued, result in the insolvency of the corporation.

From Project Gutenberg

Such history never loses its interest, nor does the lapse of ages, in the least degree, impair its credibility.

From Project Gutenberg

Yes, there is that unchangeable oval cut of face, those features which time will never impair, that graceful and thoughtful brow.

From Project Gutenberg

That the acts in question impair this contract, has already been sufficiently shown.

From Project Gutenberg

They impair and take away the charter; and they appropriate the property to new uses, against their consent.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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