Synonyms for impair

Most common

weaken · cripple · injure · diminish

All synonyms

Verb

Antonyms

impel, abet, mend

All antonyms of impair →

Definitions

1. v. 1

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

Related words

Word family

impairment

Forms

Past participle

impaired
e.g. impaired → weakened, crippled, injured, diminished…

Example sentences

• weaken This could profoundly weaken the Algerian economy.
• diminish This doesn't give him the right to diminish Muslims.
• injure You have to be careful so as not to injure yourself.
• cripple But I have nothing left. I am just an old cripple.
• hinder If you cannot help us, don't at least hinder us.
• hamper Put your dirty laundry in the hamper, not on the floor.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters

mar¹

4 letters

hurt¹, harm¹, maim¹

5 letters

spoil¹

6 letters

damage², reduce², weaken², lessen², hinder², injure², hamper², worsen², deface², debase²

7 letters

degrade², cripple², vitiate³

8 letters

decrease², diminish³, deflower, stultify³

9 letters

prejudice³, aggravate³

11 letters

deteriorate⁵

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (damage² = 2 syllables).