impaired

Damaged or weakened, so it does not work as well as usual.

• Her hearing is impaired.
• The injury left him with impaired movement in one arm.
• Poor sleep can lead to impaired judgment.

How to use it: impaired by something (His memory was impaired by the illness.)

Similar words: weakened, damaged, reduced

Opposites: unimpaired

Common phrases: impaired vision, impaired hearing, impaired judgment

Affected by alcohol so that you cannot think or act normally.

• The driver appeared impaired.
• Police stopped him because he was driving while impaired.
• She refused to ride with an impaired driver.

Similar words: drunk, intoxicated

Opposites: sober

Common phrases: impaired driver, impaired driving, visibly impaired

A criminal charge for driving while alcohol or drugs affect your ability.

• He got an impaired last night.
• She appeared in court over an impaired.
• The officer gave him an impaired after the roadside test.

Similar words: impaired-driving charge

Common phrases: get an impaired, charged with impaired