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

In rare cases, the virus can cause serious health problems like swelling of the brain or spinal cord or paralysis. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026

Such legislative paralysis could derail Zambia’s debt default recovery, analysts said. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Continuing to prioritize top-down elections will only reproduce the same paralysis, corruption and insecurity that have brought Haiti to this point. — José Singer, Miami Herald, 27 July 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, 27 July 2026