Impaired

Being in a diminished or weakened condition; functioning at a reduced level or capacity, whether physically, mentally, or perceptually. Impairment can result from a variety of causes including injury, illness, substance use, or congenital conditions. The degree of impairment can range from mild and barely noticeable to severe and completely disabling. The condition is generally characterized by a deviation from what is considered normal or optimal functionality.

Impaired meaning with examples

• Driving while impaired by alcohol is extremely dangerous and illegal, as it significantly slows reaction times and impairs judgment, leading to a higher risk of accidents and fatalities on the road.
• Due to the stroke, his speech was noticeably impaired; he struggled to articulate clearly and sometimes had difficulty finding the correct words to express his thoughts.
• The medication, while effective in managing her anxiety, unfortunately left her feeling slightly impaired, making it difficult to concentrate for extended periods of time on complex tasks.
• The factory workers wore earplugs due to the hearing impaired workplace, a measure put in place to prevent long-term damage caused by the constant loud noises of heavy machinery.