1
as in to cripple
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
a blizzard paralyzed the city for two days
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to intimidate
to deprive of courage or confidence
the school board is paralyzed by the threat of lawsuits for just about everything
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralyze
That’s 20 million people who are walking today who would otherwise have been paralyzed.
—
Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Dozens of Democrats had left the state over the past few weeks, paralyzing the lower chamber of the legislature.
—Mandy Taheri
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Law enforcement carried out Gilbert, who was partially paralyzed.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 14 Aug. 2025
The jail injury a year later of Juan Martin Nuñez, who was neglected then mishandled by jail staff after injuring and paralyzing himself in his cell, led to a $7 million county settlement.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Dozens of Democrats had left the state over the past few weeks, paralyzing the lower chamber of the legislature.
—Mandy Taheri
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Law enforcement carried out Gilbert, who was partially paralyzed.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 14 Aug. 2025
The jail injury a year later of Juan Martin Nuñez, who was neglected then mishandled by jail staff after injuring and paralyzing himself in his cell, led to a $7 million county settlement.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Verb
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This is about Donald Trump searching for any justification to deploy the military in a blue city, in a blue state, to try and intimidate his political rivals.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
27 Aug. 2025
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The grim reality is that the ADL’s work has never really been rooted in tolerance, unity, and compassion, but rather in shaming and intimidating educators and activists.—
Sahar Mustafah
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In November 2024, Morrissey claimed Williams was deemed permanently incapacitated in a court filing.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
13 Aug. 2025
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The allegation of being rapidly incapacitated by a glass of wine has an echo in another incident Levy included in her report, an accusation of rape and drugging made against Wang in 2006.—
Sammy Sussman,
Vulture,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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His youngest, frightened by Ahmed’s bandaged face, fears him deeply.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
28 Aug. 2025
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None of the practical considerations frightened me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And as long as attackers can still phish or steal a user’s password, much of the benefit of passkeys is undermined.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
28 Aug. 2025
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Take a look Years of storms and erosion undermined the existing landmark area at the corner of South and Whitehead streets.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The actor was initially terrified he would get fired from the set two weeks into shooting.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
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The 95% failure rate in corporate AI should terrify higher education leaders.—
Vinay Bhaskara,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For Trump, whose political brand has long relied on projecting authenticity to his base, a sustained decline in honesty ratings could weaken his ability to roll out his agenda.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
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This means banana particles can remain between teeth for an extended period, giving bacteria more time to produce acids that weaken tooth enamel.14 6.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Independent mobility options are scare in rapidly urbanizing areas.—
Laurie Winkless,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Today he’s frustrated by false rumors about immigration enforcement at the mall that are scaring many would-be customers.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
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