paralyze

verb

par·a·lyze | \ ˈper-ə-ˌlīz

, ˈpa-rə-\

paralyzed; paralyzing

Definition of paralyze

transitive verb

1 : to affect with paralysis The snake's venom paralyzed the mouse.

2 : to make powerless or ineffective A strike would paralyze the industry.

3 : unnerve the parlyzing thing is the uncertainty— Evelyn Whitehead

4 : stun, stupefy I would paralyze the empire with the news!— Rudyard Kipling

5 : to bring to an end : prevent, destroy deadlock paralyzed action— F. A. Ogg & Harold Zink

Other Words from paralyze Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about paralyze

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from paralyze

paralyzation \ ˌper-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən

, ˌpa-rə- \ noun

paralyzer \ ˈper-ə-ˌlī-zər

, ˈpa-rə- \ noun

paralyzingly \ ˈper-ə-ˌlī-ziŋ-lē

, ˈpa-rə \ adverb

Examples of paralyze in a Sentence

The snake's venom paralyzed the mouse. The air strikes have paralyzed the city's transportation system. The company was paralyzed by debt.

Recent Examples on the Web

The couple also met with four-year-old Mckenzie, a WellChild Award winner who learned to speak, swallow, eat, drink, and move again after a virus left him paralyzed, according to the palace. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Had the Sweetest Moments with Kids at the WellChild Awards," 4 Sep. 2018 Three full universities and 27 school departments have been paralyzed by the demonstrators, and some remain closed. — Washington Post, "A ‘Me Too’ movement shakes Chilean universities," 28 June 2018 My husband was paralyzed from Guillain-Barré syndrome, and was in the hospital for two-and-a-half months—and Mariska, in full support mode, sent a piñata the size of half the hospital room. — Rebecca Phelps, Marie Claire, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: An Oral History," 27 Sep. 2018 The victim shot at random Sunday night at a Walmart south of Seattle is paralyzed from the neck down, his son told KIRO 7. — Casey Mcnerthney, ajc, "Family: Walmart shooting victim paralyzed from neck down," 19 June 2018 After overhearing Spinner and Jay say that Jimmy played a part in the prank that made the whole school laugh at him, Rick returned to school with a gun and eventually shot Jimmy, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. — Nerisha Penrose, Billboard, "All the 'Degrassi' References in Drake's 'I'm Upset' Video," 14 June 2018 Negative stress, or distress, is caused by something like a loss of a family member; an overwhelming feeling that can paralyze you, or send you straight to bed. — Kate Branch, Vogue, "Now, Experts Say Stress Can Be Good for Your Health—Really," 18 Dec. 2018 Nevada had planned to use three drugs to execute Scott Dozier, who has been on death row since 2007: one as a sedative, one to paralyze him, and the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl to help kill him. — Richard A. Oppel Jr., BostonGlobe.com, "Nevada execution is blocked after drug maker sues," 12 July 2018 Six years ago, a Pittsburgh police officer pulled 19-year-old Leon Ford over for a traffic stop and shot him five times in the chest, paralyzing him. — Aubrey Nagle, Philly.com, "Pa. death penalty report released, Philly archdiocese settles sex abuse claim | Morning Newsletter," 26 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'paralyze.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.