paralyzed
adjective
par·a·lyzed
ˈper-ə-ˌlīzd 
ˈpa-rə-
1
: affected with paralysis
If the right hemisphere of the brain is badly damaged in its sensory (parietal) areas, patients may show … an unawareness that anything is the matter, even though the left side of their body is senseless or paralyzed.—
Oliver Sacks
Oliver SacksThousands of paralyzed people worldwide are in the socially closed-off state.—Christen Brownlee
Christen Brownlee2
: rendered incapable of movement or action
I was not found by the teacher until what seemed to me hours later but was probably five minutes, paralyzed with fright.—Kay Boyle
Kay BoyleThose who uncover plagiarism become paralyzed with embarrassment, letting the culprit escape rather than confronting him.—Walter Kendrick
Walter KendrickExamples of paralyzed in a Sentence
special ramps for paralyzed people in wheelchairs
a seemingly paralyzed mayor sat by as the city's crime rate soared
Recent Examples on the Web
Before the polio vaccine was introduced in 1955, tens of thousands of children were catching the disease every year; thousands of them died, and more were left paralyzed.
—Bruce Handy, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025
Because tariffs are a type of taxation, Mr. Trump’s plan is among the largest tax increases in decades, analysts say, a policy change that sent the stock market reeling, paralyzed corporate investment and shoved the economy closer to a recession.
—Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
This innovation combines artificial intelligence (AI) with neuroscience, allowing a paralyzed man to manipulate a robotic arm by imagining movements, a feat that marks a significant milestone in restoring autonomy to people with severe motor impairments.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
However, many companies, especially in the mid-market range ($100 million to $1 billion), have been somewhat paralyzed with anticipation and afraid to make a move.
—Gary Hoover, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyzed
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Bruce Handy, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025
Because tariffs are a type of taxation, Mr. Trump’s plan is among the largest tax increases in decades, analysts say, a policy change that sent the stock market reeling, paralyzed corporate investment and shoved the economy closer to a recession.
—Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
This innovation combines artificial intelligence (AI) with neuroscience, allowing a paralyzed man to manipulate a robotic arm by imagining movements, a feat that marks a significant milestone in restoring autonomy to people with severe motor impairments.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
However, many companies, especially in the mid-market range ($100 million to $1 billion), have been somewhat paralyzed with anticipation and afraid to make a move.
—Gary Hoover, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyzed
Cite this Entry
“Paralyzed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paralyzed. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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