1
always used before a noun medical
: affected with or causing paralysis
paralytic patients [=patients who are unable to move or feel all or part of their bodies]
a paralytic drug/stroke/disease [=a drug/stroke/disease that causes paralysis]
2
British, informal
: very drunk
a group of paralytic drunks
plural paralytics
medical
: a person who is paralyzed
treatment for paralytics
Cite this Entry
“Paralytic.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/paralytic. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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