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

Thousands of paralyzed people worldwide are in the socially closed-off state.

—Christen Brownlee

2

: 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

Those who uncover plagiarism become paralyzed with embarrassment, letting the culprit escape rather than confronting him.

—Walter Kendrick

Synonyms

• paralytic

Examples 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

Is there a difference between being stuck and feeling paralyzed? —Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 17 May 2025

But the duo, who were also romantically involved throughout their lives, saw their careers come to an end when Roy was attacked on stage by one of their live tigers, which damaged his spine and induced a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 12 May 2025

The two main alliances of European states, the European Union and NATO, are too often paralyzed. —Sophia Besch, Foreign Affairs, 5 May 2025

Smith is completely paralyzed and relies on a ventilator to breathe. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for paralyzed

• acclimatized
• actualized
• aerosolized
• alphabetized
• aluminized
• anaesthetized
• anesthetized
• annualized
• antagonized
• apologised
• apologized
• capitalised