What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incapacitated
Example
The accident left him incapacitated for months. [incapacitated: adjective]
Example
She was incapacitated by the flu and had to stay in bed for a week. [incapacitated: verb]
impaired
Example
His hearing was impaired after years of working in a noisy factory. [impaired: adjective]
Example
Drinking alcohol can impair your ability to drive safely. [impaired: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Impaired is more commonly used than incapacitated in everyday language. Impaired is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while incapacitated is more formal and often used in medical or legal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between incapacitated and impaired?
Incapacitated is a more formal word than impaired, and it is often used in legal or medical contexts to describe a person's inability to function normally. Impaired is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
