paralysis
noun
pa·ral·y·sis
pə-ˈra-lə-səs 
plural paralyses
pə-ˈra-lə-ˌsēz
1
: complete or partial loss of function especially when involving the motion or sensation in a part of the body
2
: loss of the ability to move
3
: a state of powerlessness or incapacity to act
Examples of paralysis in a Sentence
The disease causes a paralysis of the legs.
The whole country is in a state of paralysis.
They are trying to end the political paralysis that has been gripping the country.
Recent Examples on the Web
Knocking Down Barriers to AI AI paralysis is a real thing in the C-suite.
—
Tim Houlne, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
No additional information was available at press time about what caused the paralysis and a spokesperson for Lil Nas had not returned a request for comment.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 Apr. 2025
Enrich projected an additional 200,000 cases of polio that cause paralysis each year, and hundreds of millions of infections overall.
—Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
However, a somewhat common condition known as Bell’s palsy — when the facial nerve becomes inflamed — can be the root of temporary facial paralysis.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
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Tim Houlne, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
No additional information was available at press time about what caused the paralysis and a spokesperson for Lil Nas had not returned a request for comment.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 Apr. 2025
Enrich projected an additional 200,000 cases of polio that cause paralysis each year, and hundreds of millions of infections overall.
—Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
However, a somewhat common condition known as Bell’s palsy — when the facial nerve becomes inflamed — can be the root of temporary facial paralysis.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Cite this Entry
“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paralysis. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paralysis
noun
pa·ral·y·sis
pə-ˈral-ə-səs
plural paralyses
-ə-ˌsēz
: complete or partial loss of function especially when involving motion or sensation in a part of the body
Medical Definition
paralysis
noun
pa·ral·y·sis
pə-ˈral-ə-səs
plural paralyses
-ˌsēz
: complete or partial loss of function especially when involving the power of motion or of sensation in any part of the body see hemiplegia, paraplegia, paresis sense 1
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