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.

impair

/ ɪmˈpɛə /

verb

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

   his hearing was impaired by an accident

Other Word Forms

• impairable adjective
• impairer noun
• impairment noun
• nonimpairment noun
• preimpairment noun
• self-impairable adjective
• self-impairing adjective
• unimpairable 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

"This is particularly crucial amid headwinds from ongoing global geopolitical tensions and adverse global tariff-related developments that might impair external demand," Morgan Stanley said.

From BBC

There’s no indication in the memo or otherwise that the loans were ever in arrears or in default, or otherwise impaired in any way.

From Los Angeles Times

Pentecost, who has been sacked, pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court to performing an aviation function while impaired by drugs.

From BBC

During the Great Depression, the Reconstruction Finance Corp., a Hoover creation that lived well into Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, took preferred shares in numerous impaired banks in return for capital infusions they needed to survive.

From Los Angeles Times

Before the pandemic, around 30,000 people attempted the hike each year with a 66% success rate, including several visually impaired climbers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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