paralyze

verb

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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

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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 Yet research shows excessive self-criticism can paralyze rather than motivate and create greater problems, including procrastination, avoidance behaviors and even depression. — Michael Higgins, Forbes, "Self-Compassion At Work: Does It Lead To Success?," 27 Apr. 2021 Human rights activists say such a move would paralyze their activities and expose their members and donors to prison sentences of up to 10 years. — BostonGlobe.com, "Imprisoned Putin foe Navalny to end his hunger strike," 23 Apr. 2021 Human rights activists say such a move would paralyze their activities and expose their members and donors to prison sentences of up to 10 years. — Daria Litvinova, chicagotribune.com, "Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny feels ‘pride and hope’ for mass protests, doctors urge him to end hunger strike," 22 Apr. 2021 Human rights activists say such a move would paralyze their activities and expose their members and donors to prison sentences of up to 10 years. — BostonGlobe.com, "Imprisoned Putin foe Navalny to end his hunger strike," 23 Apr. 2021 Human rights activists say such a move would paralyze their activities and expose their members and donors to prison sentences of up to 10 years. — Daria Litvinova, chicagotribune.com, "Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny feels ‘pride and hope’ for mass protests, doctors urge him to end hunger strike," 22 Apr. 2021 Human rights activists say such a move would paralyze the activities of the groups and expose their members and donors to prison sentences of up to 10 years. — Jim Heintz, Anchorage Daily News, "Over 400 reported arrested across Russia amid rallies of support for Navalny," 21 Apr. 2021 Human rights activists say such a move would paralyze their activities and expose their members and donors to prison sentences of up to 10 years. — Arkansas Online, "Navalny's doctors prevented from seeing him at prison clinic," 20 Apr. 2021 In January, police arrested those who stood in the primaries and its organizers, accusing them of plotting to paralyze the Hong Kong government through the city’s legislature. — Natasha Khan, WSJ, "Dozens in Hong Kong’s Opposition Charged Under Law Imposed by Beijing," 28 Feb. 2021

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.