verb

impair

im-PAIR/ɪmˈper/

To weaken or damage something's quality or ability to function.

The broken strands impair the rope's ability to support the heavy bucket.

A badly frayed section weakens a rope supporting a heavy bucket: most strands have parted, and the few remaining strands stretch taut under the load.

Etymology

Latin peiorare supplies the idea of making something worse. Impairing something lowers its condition or effectiveness, whether by weakening its function or damaging its quality.

In context

Rhesus Medicine1:05

this response is disregulated which doesn't necessarily mean excessive but it is enough to impair normal functioning of the body we said that circulation is compromised in sepsis

Understanding Sepsis (Sepsis Explained Clearly)

More examples

The injury impaired her hearing in one ear.
Excess moisture can impair the sensor's performance.
Smoke is impairing visibility along the highway.

Forms

impair · impairs · impaired · impairing

impairment noun — Damage that reduces normal function or ability.

Similar words

weaken: Emphasizes loss of strength rather than reduced overall function.
damage: Emphasizes harm to condition, which may also reduce function.
hinder: Emphasizes obstacles to progress rather than damage to ability.