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Counteract vs Impair - What's the difference?

counteract | impair |

As verbs the difference between counteract and impair

is that counteract is to act in opposition to; thwart; to hinder, defeat, or frustrate, by contrary agency or influence; as, to counteract the effect of medicines; to counteract good advice while impair is to weaken; to affect negatively; to have a diminishing effect on.

As an adjective impair is

not fit or appropriate.

counteract

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To act in opposition to; thwart; to hinder, defeat, or frustrate, by contrary agency or influence; as, to counteract the effect of medicines; to counteract good advice.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * counteractant * counteracter * counteractingly * counteraction * counteractive * counteractively * counteractor

    impair

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (qualifier)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To weaken; to affect negatively; to have a diminishing effect on.
  • (archaic) To grow worse; to deteriorate.
    • (Milton)

    Derived terms

    * (l)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Not fit or appropriate.

    • External links

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