verb to weaken, damage, or make worse
Anxiety can impair a person's social interactions and daily functioning.
Driving under the influence of alcohol can impair one's ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Impairment of cognitive function due to a head injury.
A virus can impair the functionality of a computer system.
Learning disabilities can impair a student's academic performance.
In the context of a writer, 'impair' may be used to describe a character's ability to think clearly or make decisions, such as when a protagonist's judgment is impaired by alcohol.
For a psychologist, 'impair' could be used to discuss cognitive impairments in patients, such as memory loss or difficulty with problem-solving skills.
In the medical field, 'impair' may be used to describe a patient's physical or mental limitations, such as impaired mobility or impaired cognitive function.
A lawyer may use 'impair' in the context of impaired judgment, such as when arguing that a defendant's intoxication impaired their ability to understand their actions.
For a financial analyst, 'impair' could be used to describe a decrease in the value of an asset, such as when a company's stock is impaired due to poor performance.