What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
impair
Example
The accident impaired his vision. [impair: verb]
Example
Drinking alcohol can impair your ability to drive safely. [impair: verb]
weaken
Example
The storm weakened the structure of the building. [weakened: past tense]
Example
Lack of exercise can weaken your muscles. [weaken: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Weaken is more commonly used than impair in everyday language. Weaken is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while impair is less common and often used in legal or medical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between impair and weaken?
Impair is typically associated with a formal tone and is often used in legal or medical contexts. Weaken is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.