as in to paralyze
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
town councils felt immobilized by the powers newly granted to the state legislation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of immobilize
An After-Mating Meal All octopuses are venomous, with the majority of these cephalopods using their venom to fend off their predators or to immobilize their prey.
—
Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
As the sun rose, 14 of the attacking vehicles were destroyed or immobilized.
—David Axe, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
As the sun rose and the smoke and dust cleared, 14 of the attacking BMDs and other vehicles were destroyed or immobilized.
—David Axe, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Once immobilized, the sharks lie motionless, allowing researchers to collect semen and blood samples safely.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for immobilize
Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
As the sun rose, 14 of the attacking vehicles were destroyed or immobilized.
—David Axe, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
As the sun rose and the smoke and dust cleared, 14 of the attacking BMDs and other vehicles were destroyed or immobilized.
—David Axe, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Once immobilized, the sharks lie motionless, allowing researchers to collect semen and blood samples safely.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for immobilize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immobilize
Verb
-
And even in organizations offering robust benefits, many employees don’t access them—paralyzed by fear of stigma, career repercussions, or overwhelm.—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
Singer Jeff Becerra was paralyzed in a separate shooting in 1989.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
For example, deleting the genetic region responsible for producing this toxin in E. coli can actually incapacitate the bacteria from promoting cancer in animals.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Lasers can incapacitate pilots, many of whom are flying airplanes with hundreds of passengers.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
-
Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Verb
-
Miranda Jeyaretnam and Chad de Guzman reported on April 30, 2025, for the 50th anniversary of the war’s end, on how President Donald Trump is undermining U.S.-Vietnam reconciliation.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
-
This kind of long-term vision is undermined by drastic and unpredictable trade policies.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Immobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immobilize. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share