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
Business leaders have been paralyzed by lack of clarity, as have some of America’s closest allies and trading partners around the globe.
—
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
The combination paralyzed his patients’ respiratory muscles, leading to respiratory arrest and death within minutes.
—Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Queen’s legendary guitarist Brian May made an unexpected return to the music festival stage at Coachella 2025, just seven months after a minor stroke temporarily paralyzed his left arm.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
He was paralyzed as a result of the shooting and died three months later.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
The combination paralyzed his patients’ respiratory muscles, leading to respiratory arrest and death within minutes.
—Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Queen’s legendary guitarist Brian May made an unexpected return to the music festival stage at Coachella 2025, just seven months after a minor stroke temporarily paralyzed his left arm.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
He was paralyzed as a result of the shooting and died three months later.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 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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During this protest, police intimidated and ultimately beat the strikers, resulting the death of at least six people, according to the American Postal Workers Union.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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Trump critics are pointing to this as another attempt to undermine the judiciary by intimidating judges with threats of arrest.—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Verb
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For example, deleting the genetic region responsible for producing this toxin in E. coli can actually incapacitate the bacteria from promoting cancer in animals.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2025
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Lasers can incapacitate pilots, many of whom are flying airplanes with hundreds of passengers.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The king of the forest was once frightened by the sound of a bull.—
John Nemec,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2025
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The prospect of returning to the role, first for a West End reprise in February and then for the Brooklyn performance frightened her.—
Alexis Soloski,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This kind of long-term vision is undermined by drastic and unpredictable trade policies.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
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Miranda Jeyaretnam and Chad de Guzman reported on April 30, 2025, for the 50th anniversary of the war’s end, on how President Donald Trump is undermining U.S.-Vietnam reconciliation.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Oh, this shot of Charity with three blonde dolls is terrifying.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
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So the thought of losing the house itself was also terrifying.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 May 2025
Verb
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The pests set about sucking the sap from grape roots, slowly weakening them and opening wounds that invited disease.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
28 Apr. 2025
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As more state legislation is passed that weakens or eliminates longstanding fire and life safety codes, the need for young workers who are trained and passionate about reversing these trends is high.—
Jim Pauley,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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There were no players who really scared opposing defensive coordinators.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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In the beginning of the movie, Karsh goes on a date, but his grief scares the woman away.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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