Synonyms of paralysis

paralysis

noun

pə-ˈra-lə-səs 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disability
• impairment
• palsy
• weakness
• poliomyelitis
• debility
• feebleness
• cerebral palsy
• debilitation
• lameness
• decrepitude
• multiple sclerosis
• paresis
• hemiplegia
• infirmity
• paraplegia
• frailty
• enfeeblement
• quadriplegia
• diplegia
• frailness
• spastic paralysis

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mobility
• sensation
• motility

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of paralysis

The novelist who wants to write about how young people (barely) get by in the world today has to explain why all of this overwhelm often translates into paralysis—without boring readers to distraction. — Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

The severe strain of the virus often presents as a fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, or paralysis. — Mary Ella Hastings july 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026

In one, Flower put her own spin on a social media trend that called for participants to jump into a pool by rolling herself into the water — a playful moment that also showed viewers what remains possible after paralysis. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

The Flemish-French divide in Belgium has not exploded in tumult but has nevertheless left the country in a state of institutional paralysis. — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026