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
That matters in a Congress where coalition-building, legal acumen, and persistence are often the difference between progress and paralysis.
—
Joel Rubin, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026
Illian suffered from partial paralysis due to what family members said was an earlier gunshot wound to the neck.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
The condition is an unexplained but treatable neurological disorder that causes paralysis or weakness on one side of the face, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
In a small percentage of cases, the virus can invade the nervous system, causing coma, paralysis or death.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Joel Rubin, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026
Illian suffered from partial paralysis due to what family members said was an earlier gunshot wound to the neck.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
The condition is an unexplained but treatable neurological disorder that causes paralysis or weakness on one side of the face, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
In a small percentage of cases, the virus can invade the nervous system, causing coma, paralysis or death.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralysis
Noun
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In South Asian households, a child’s disability triggers a specific kind of family crisis that most American clinicians are not trained to recognize.—
Ritu Goel,
STAT,
15 June 2026
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For many historians, Pennhurst serves as a reminder of how society once approached disability care and how those systems often failed the people they were intended to help.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Accessibility for those with mobile impairments The rooms, villas and reception all have step-free access, and the electric buggies mean getting around the resort is simple.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
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Law enforcement said Woods, who was uninjured but appeared lethargic, was showing signs of impairment at the scene.—
Ben Brachfeld,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Noun
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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
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Common symptoms include headaches, fever, diarrhea, muscle weakness, tingling or numbness, neck stiffness or flu-like symptoms.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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Initial symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness, according to the CDC.—
Emily Vetter,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralysis. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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