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
His serious spinal injury was triggered by a fall in 2021, which required emergency surgery to prevent paralysis, his manager Theresa Fortier said in a statement at the time.
—
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Modern medicine can’t reverse paralysis from polio.
—Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026
How to type with your mind A brain-computer interface allowed two people with paralysis to type with their minds, according to a new study.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
In 2006 a consortium of researchers called BrainGate reported that a BCI allowed people with paralysis to control a computer cursor and operate a prosthetic hand.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Modern medicine can’t reverse paralysis from polio.
—Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026
How to type with your mind A brain-computer interface allowed two people with paralysis to type with their minds, according to a new study.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
In 2006 a consortium of researchers called BrainGate reported that a BCI allowed people with paralysis to control a computer cursor and operate a prosthetic hand.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralysis
Noun
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The problem is that people with disabilities and chronic conditions start with a lower QALY score by definition.—
James Hart,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
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Students with disabilities could fall through the cracks For many children, schools are the first point of contact with public services such as nutrition programs, healthcare, language learning and counseling.—
Jonaki Mehta,
NPR,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There are four guestrooms specifically designed for those with mobility, hearing, or visual impairments.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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Investigators noted that the driver showed no signs of impairment.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Jackson died in February at the age of 84 following a battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a condition similar to Parkinson's disease.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Jackson suffered from progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare brain disease.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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If not treated early, the infection can progress to more serious symptoms, such as joint swelling and arthritis, nerve pain, tingling or numbness, facial muscle weakness, heart inflammation and difficulties with memory or concentration.—
Emily Bache,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
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To play for Hurley is to understand that taking a play off is not acceptable, that bending over and tugging at your short hems – a sure sign, in Hurley’s estimation, of weakness – will earn you either a death stare or a run up the steps.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralysis. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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