as in disability
complete or partial loss of physical function (as motion or sensation) in a part of the body
the car accident left one athlete with paralysis from the waist down
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralysis
Transformational coach Eron Zehavi focuses on how interpretation shapes paralysis and movement.
—
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
In the production, Hayes plays Elliott, a writer grappling with creative paralysis who retreats to a remote cabin, only to find the line between imagination and reality dangerously blurred.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
For governments, company leaders, investors, and others, the danger of the present lies not in uncertainty itself, but in the demand for overly simple solutions and the paralysis induced by their inevitable failure.
—Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
About one in 200 people who contract polio will experience a form of paralysis.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
In the production, Hayes plays Elliott, a writer grappling with creative paralysis who retreats to a remote cabin, only to find the line between imagination and reality dangerously blurred.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
For governments, company leaders, investors, and others, the danger of the present lies not in uncertainty itself, but in the demand for overly simple solutions and the paralysis induced by their inevitable failure.
—Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
About one in 200 people who contract polio will experience a form of paralysis.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralysis
Noun
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Natalie Eilbert covers mental health across Wisconsin with a focus on treatment access, disability rights, stigma reduction and suicide prevention.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Volunteers regularly create sensory task kits — learning tools for students with disabilities that usually cost classrooms more than $1,000.—
Karen Hua,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Patrons with mobility impairments and deaf or hard-of-hearing patrons can request an accessibility wristband at the access center inside the guest services tent by the main entrance gate.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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There were no injuries and no signs of impairment.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Jackson, who had battled the neurodegenerative condition progressive supranuclear palsy for more than a decade, died at home Tuesday surrounded by family.—
Johanna Neuman,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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Progressive supranuclear palsy is a rare brain disease that affects body movements, walking and balance, eye movements and swallowing, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But some analysts say Iran's unprecedented weakness at home could diminish the flexibility of its country's leadership to make the kinds of compromises necessary for a deal.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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But ask anyone who knows him about Kuechly’s weaknesses, and the first thing that might come up is his deflection of praise.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralysis. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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