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
Such pursuits may be the only way to shake off intellectual paralysis—the only way to remember what 2+2 actually equates.
—
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
In sleep paralysis, the cortex wakes up before deeper brain regions that control the body, resulting in full consciousness without the ability to move.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
Ray used a wheelchair during his life due to paralysis.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Parolin also faulted global powers for their paralysis.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
In sleep paralysis, the cortex wakes up before deeper brain regions that control the body, resulting in full consciousness without the ability to move.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
Ray used a wheelchair during his life due to paralysis.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Parolin also faulted global powers for their paralysis.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralysis
Noun
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For example, independent living programs and programs that train, hire and retain workers with disabilities can ensure the economic success of people with autism.—
Joshua Anbar,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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The amendment invests an additional $450,000 in Birth to Three providers, which help families with children who experience disabilities and developmental delays, including vision and hearing challenges, during the crucial early stage of development.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Barca refused to book that impairment in 2023-24, but did so when restating that year’s figures in their latest accounts.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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No impairment is suspected on the part of the driver who struck the pedestrian.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Symptoms can include a rash and flu-like symptoms, with some people going on to experience arthritis, facial palsy, pain, irregular heartbeats and other worsening symptoms.—
Grace Gavilanes,
People.com,
31 July 2025
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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
Noun
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The problem with that is that good teams — the winning franchises — build their teams inside-out by fortifying the offensive and defensive lines, which just happen to be the areas of weakness this season.—
Omar Kelly
November 7,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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Exports weren’t the only area that saw surprise weakness.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralysis. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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