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

Synonyms of paralysis

• disability
• impairment
• palsy
• weakness

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

His risible evocations of this brand of male psyche exposes emotional paralysis like a raw nerve. —Daniel Felsenthal, Pitchfork, 7 Apr. 2026

When the future feels uncertain, paralysis can look like procrastination. —Ali Kaufman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026

The Live with Kelly and Mark announcer and national radio personality spoke out about the condition — which causes temporary facial paralysis — during the Tuesday, April 7 episode of the daytime talk show, weeks after first revealing the news in an Instagram video on March 20. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026

Outside, the street was now clogged with driverless cars, their high beams on, in confusion, in paralysis, lacking any traffic lights to tell them what to do. —Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek, from paralyein to loosen, disable, from para- + lyein to loosen — more at lose

First Known Use

1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing paralysis

• infantile paralysis
• paralysis agitans
• spastic paralysis

Rhymes for paralysis

• analysis
• dialysis
• cryptanalysis
• urinalysis
• electrodialysis
• haemodialysis
• hemodialysis
• microanalysis
• psychoanalysis

Kids 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