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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Recent Examples of paralysis
The deputy suffered paralysis from the chest down because the bullet lodged in his spine.
—
Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
Rupert now requires nonstop care to manage his episodes of paralysis, seizures and serious medical emergencies.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
And settler violence has surged to frightening levels amid the paralysis and indifference of the police force.
—Avi Issacharoff, The Atlantic, 22 May 2026
Contact with even a small amount sends an insect’s or tick’s nervous system into paralysis and death within seconds.
—Gavin Escott, USA Today, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
Rupert now requires nonstop care to manage his episodes of paralysis, seizures and serious medical emergencies.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
And settler violence has surged to frightening levels amid the paralysis and indifference of the police force.
—Avi Issacharoff, The Atlantic, 22 May 2026
Contact with even a small amount sends an insect’s or tick’s nervous system into paralysis and death within seconds.
—Gavin Escott, USA Today, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralysis
Noun
-
Amputation might have been the safest expedient, but the mine would have had to pay permanent disability.—
Jonathan Franzen,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
For Social Security disability beneficiaries, gig work can offer flexibility and greater independence.—
Diane Winiarski,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Accessibility While there are two rooms suitable for those with mobility impairments, the grounds have irregular surfaces and some steep gradients.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Therapy is appropriate when there's a diagnosable condition, significant distress, or impairment.—
Megan Bruneau,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Back in 2024, Embiid battled the Knicks in a first-round playoff series months after left knee surgery and dealt with Bell’s palsy.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
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Philadelphia will now play the New York Knicks in the second round, a rematch of a heated 2024 first-round series the Knicks won in six, during which Embiid played through Bell’s palsy.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
His iron play has been strong enough to contend virtually anywhere on the PGA Tour, but the putter has remained the glaring weakness.—
Jeff Goudy,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
More striking than the national numbers is where the weakness is now showing up.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralysis. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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