1
as in to cripple
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
a blizzard paralyzed the city for two days
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralyze
The accident fractured her spine and left her paralyzed from the waist down, according to the family.
—
Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 7 May 2025
Normand Meunier, from Quebec, was working as a truck driver before a spinal cord injury in 2022 left his arms and legs paralyzed.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 7 May 2025
If the families downstairs represented the thin years right after the war, when Soviet-style planning paralyzed the economy, the business above them spoke to the go-go ’90s and beyond, when Vietnam embraced free trade.
—Hannah Reyes Morales, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Some 51,000 children would have life-altering neurological complications, and 5,400 would be paralyzed by polio — a disease for which there have been no cases reported since 1993.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 7 May 2025
Normand Meunier, from Quebec, was working as a truck driver before a spinal cord injury in 2022 left his arms and legs paralyzed.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 7 May 2025
If the families downstairs represented the thin years right after the war, when Soviet-style planning paralyzed the economy, the business above them spoke to the go-go ’90s and beyond, when Vietnam embraced free trade.
—Hannah Reyes Morales, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Some 51,000 children would have life-altering neurological complications, and 5,400 would be paralyzed by polio — a disease for which there have been no cases reported since 1993.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 25 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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That means people who are counting votes or knocking on doors can’t be intimidated, threatened or coerced.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
12 May 2025
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If mixing up cocktails at home seems intimidating, don't fear—the secret to your new favorite drink might already be in the back of your fridge.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2025
Verb
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This names someone who can pay your bills and otherwise handle your finances if you become incapacitated.—
Liz Weston,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
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However, by the time Biden became incapacitated, that constitutional remedy was available for use.—
Mark R. Weaver,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 May 2025
Verb
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By sharing a visual insight into their space, Spencer hopes people won’t be frightened by the unknown.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
22 May 2025
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Meanwhile, in the real world, Netflix’s release strategy continues to frighten and confuse.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Trump has pursued policies that have repeatedly undermined the agenda of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—and show that divisions between the United States and Israel are widening.—
Daniel Byman,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2025
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Things could have been better still had Leclerc’s race not been undermined by the timing of the two safety cars.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Verb
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The prospective repercussions terrify the corner of the AI universe concerned about safety, industry experts said, particularly as leading players pursue artificial general intelligence, or AGI, which is technology that rivals or exceeds human intelligence.—
Hayden Field,Jonathan Vanian,Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
14 May 2025
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The radiotherapy had caused swelling in my brain—apparently a normal response, but still terrifying.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
Verb
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In Colorado, for example, several AI companies recently lobbied to delay and weaken the state’s landmark AI accountability legislation — a preview of what unchecked industry influence could look like under a regulatory freeze.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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This includes adults who have weakened immune systems, cancer or other underlying health conditions, and some mental health conditions.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Start to say no to distractions that do not serve your higher purpose, and start saying yes to the things that challenge you, stretch you and even scare you a little.—
Melissa Sierra,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
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What scares and excites you about where AI is headed for the next generation of artists?—
Lily Marks,
Time,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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