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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Poliovirus, which can cause lifelong paralysis and death, was effectively eliminated from North and South America by 1994. Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 16 May 2025 Oxley has previously said 100 million people around the world face physical challenges including paralysis that prevent them from using digital devices; integrating Synchron's tech with Apple's popular products could help make a dent in that figure in the coming years. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 May 2025 The Toronto singer continued to say that lack of sleep was the biggest contributor to his sleep paralysis. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 7 May 2025 Severe poisonings can cause paralysis and death from asphyxiation. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralysis
Noun
  • Federal authorities have expanded emergency food assistance for residents affected by recent severe weather in Kentucky, while, in New Mexico, older SNAP recipients with disabilities will get one-off extra benefits this month.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • Consequently, students with disabilities will be even more underserved.
    Shaun Harper, Time, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • There was no signs of impairment with any of the drivers.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2025
  • Priority is given to those on the 2024 waiting list, including homeless individuals, veterans, vulnerable populations, households with special needs, and individuals with mobility, hearing or vision impairments.
    Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Bell’s palsy — which was then written into the show.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 28 May 2025
  • Thomas died April 18 at Salisbury Hospice in Wilshire England, and had been battling progressive supranuclear palsy, daughter Phoebe Court-Thomas told The Hollywood Reporter.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • And the weakness is extending to other travel industry forecasts, like hotels.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Potential symptoms include insomnia, muscle cramps, constipation, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, weakness, numbness, tingling, personality changes and heart arrhythmias, experts say.
    Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralysis. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on paralysis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!