How do you use the word "impair" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "impair": Hormones impair one's judgment. "Fly ye, who may, / whom age hath chilled not, nor the years impair."

Impair Meaning

/ɪmˈpɛə/

Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

verbTo weaken; to affect negatively; to have a diminishing effect on.

verbTo grow worse; to deteriorate.

Sentence Examples

Hormones impair one's judgment.

"Fly ye, who may, / whom age hath chilled not, nor the years impair."

Social media could greatly impair the intelligence of our kids.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

spoil

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

Drinking too much alcohol can significantly ____ your ability to drive safely.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

Repeated exposure to very loud music can permanently ____ your hearing over a long period.

Word Origin & History

From Middle English impairen, empeiren, from Old French empeirier, from Early Medieval Latin impeiōrāre, from in- + Late Latin peiōrāre (“worsen”), from peiōrem (“worse”), comparative of malus (“bad”).

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"In 2016, it was announced that Jones had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, a form of dementia that impairs the ability to communicate." — 2020 January 22, Stuart Jeffries, “Terry Jones obituary”, in The Guardian:

"Flesh may empaire,[…]but reason can repaire." — 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto VII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:

"giues he not till iudgement guide his bounty, / Nor dignifies an impaire thought with breath:" — c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene v]:

"Suppoſe a mans credit ſhould ſuffer an impair with thoſe whoſe cenſure is not to be valued; yet think, which is worſe, ſhame or ſin? Wilt thou ſin againſt God to ſave thy credit?" — 1671, Thomas Watson, The Beatitudes, pages 146–147:

Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words