PARALYSES Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

paralysis

noun

pə-ˈra-lə-səs

Definition of paralysis

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

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 paralysis The story of twenty-first-century China, then, is not just one of demographic decline but also one of political paralysis—and what happens when those two intersect. — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026 He was detained, and partial paralysis had set in before doctors removed the bullet, several days later. — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026 When Jeremy doesn’t succeed in killing her, Verity fakes her paralysis while using his time out of the house to bond with their son and write these letters. — Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026 Decision-making is often impaired when teams need to validate their hypothesis through external resourcing or there is analysis paralysis due to uncertainty around decisions. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paralysis

Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralysis

Noun

The spokesperson stressed that the agency will still require Head Start programs to provide support for mental and physical health, family and disability services and school readiness preparation, as is mandated by federal law.

— Maia Nehme, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
Benefits are also rising because more people are claiming disability and incapacity benefits.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of disability

Noun

Police said in a social media post that officers contacted the man at the scene and observed signs of possible impairment from a central nervous system stimulant.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Accessibility for those with mobility impairments Two of the villas—one Dune One-Bedroom Pool Villa and one Dune Two-Bedroom Pool Villa—are wheelchair accessible.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of impairment

Noun

Havighorst, an executive director of institutional advancement at Prairie State College, was diagnosed with a form of CMT 2 1/2 years ago called heredity neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies.

— Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Other Live personalities have also opened up about various health occurrences this year, with the show’s longtime emcee and resident DJ, Déjà Vu, revealing in April that she was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, which causes facial paralysis.

— Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 27 July 2026

Definition of palsy

Noun

On iPhone, Apple says the Passwords app automatically identifies common weaknesses, including passwords that are easy to guess or used multiple times.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Slowik, who was part of Miami’s offensive staff last season while working for McDaniel, is aware of what Wright and Gordon bring to the team, their strengths and weaknesses, and intends to cater the offense to those.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of weakness

Browse Nearby Words

parallels

paralysis

paralytic

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“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralysis. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of paralysis

noun

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