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

Both Heder and Madeley were intrigued by the juxtaposition of Heumann’s desire for movement with her paralysis forcing her to be still. — Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2026

Sharpless says that, in general, poor sleep hygiene increases the risk of sleep paralysis. — Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026

Or perhaps no bloc will manage to pull together the 61 Knesset seats needed for a majority, plunging Israel into another round of elections and a reprise of the paralysis that produced five contests between 2019 and 2022. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Together, these approaches transformed the fight against a disease that once caused widespread paralysis and outbreaks, particularly among children. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026