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

The siblings also ran to raise funds for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury through research and improving the quality of life for people impacted by paralysis. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Since the late nineteenth century, raw white-lead was known to pose a substantial health risk to those exposed to it, prompting symptoms such as swelling of the brain, epileptic convulsions, paralysis, severe colic, and death. — Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026

The long nightmare might be over for South African producers, whose industry has been crippled for more than two years by the paralysis of a rebate program that for all intents and purposes had ceased to function. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

The paralysis has left lawmakers in both parties without answers. — Gabe Kaminsky, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026