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
Alison devises a plan to escape her creative paralysis.
—
Charlie Tyson, New Yorker, 4 June 2025
Due to their long backs and short legs, dachshunds are genetically prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), a spinal condition that can cause pain, mobility issues, and, in severe cases, paralysis.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Leaders must rigorously prioritize and communicate clearly, ensuring optionality does not devolve into paralysis or inefficiency.
—Bryce Hoffman, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
This type of hallucination is a hallmark for many people with sleep paralysis.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Charlie Tyson, New Yorker, 4 June 2025
Due to their long backs and short legs, dachshunds are genetically prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), a spinal condition that can cause pain, mobility issues, and, in severe cases, paralysis.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Leaders must rigorously prioritize and communicate clearly, ensuring optionality does not devolve into paralysis or inefficiency.
—Bryce Hoffman, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
This type of hallucination is a hallmark for many people with sleep paralysis.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralysis
Noun
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More Founder steals $100M from his FL disability nonprofit, buys properties, feds say Leo Joseph Govoni, co-founder of a Florida nonprofit, embezzled over $100 million from trust funds meant for people with disabilities, according to federal prosecutors.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
28 June 2025
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That’s how much Kristina Lewis receives in monthly Social Security disability payments.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
Noun
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There’s a lot to discover beyond the shores of Holy Island, including — Spike imagines — a cure for his mother’s headaches, nosebleeds, and cognitive impairment.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
18 June 2025
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The most severely affected reported a 66% impairment in productivity.—
Beth Greenfield,
Fortune,
18 June 2025
Noun
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The Emmy-winning composer died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles following an eight-year battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Clausen’s daughter told the Hollywood Reporter.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
31 May 2025
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For example, in the hand tendon-transfer surgery for high median-ulnar palsy, one muscle is sutured to all four finger flexor tendons.—
Evan Ackerman,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Mar. 2018
Noun
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The pair argues that Europe risks falling behind not due to a lack of technical capability but because of structural market weaknesses.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 June 2025
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Frank is committed to improving players’ strengths and weaknesses, and this is an area that could facilitate Tel’s development.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralysis. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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