impair

Definition of impair

weaken or affect negatively

Synonyms for impair

• diminish
• blunt
• mar

impair in a Sentence

1. Excessive drinking can impair judgment.

Why impair Matters for GRE & SAT

"impair" is a verb that means "weaken or affect negatively" closely related to words like "diminish", "blunt", "mar". As a word starting with I, it belongs to a cluster of GRE and SAT vocabulary that test-takers often encounter in Verbal Reasoning, Text Completion, and Reading Comprehension sections.

On the GRE, understanding "impair" helps you distinguish between closely related answer choices in Sentence Equivalence questions. On the SAT, recognizing this word in context strengthens your performance on Craft & Structure and Words in Context questions. Seeing how "impair" is used in sentences — like the examples above — builds the contextual understanding that standardized tests reward.

Study tip: Start with the definition and part of speech (verb). Then learn its 3 synonyms to build a word network. Finally, practice with spaced repetition to move "impair" into long-term memory.

How to Remember impair

One effective way to remember "impair" (verb) is to group it with similar words you already know: "diminish" and "blunt" and "mar". When you encounter "impair" on a test, these synonym connections help you quickly recall its meaning — "weaken or affect negatively".

Use flashcard apps with spaced repetition to review "impair" at increasing intervals until it becomes automatic.

More Vocabulary Words Starting with I

• iconoclastic — challenging or overthrowing tradition or established beliefs
• identify — To recognize or be able to name someone or something
• identify — To recognize or establish what something is
• ideologue — a person who advocates an ideology
• ideology — A system of ideas and ideals forming the basis of a theory
• ideology — A system of ideas and ideals forming the basis of a theory
• idiosyncratic — peculiar to an individual or group; unique
• illuminate — To help clarify or explain something
• illusory — unreal or based on illusion
• illustrate — To explain or make something clear by using examples or diagrams