paralyze

verb

ˈper-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce paralyze (audio)
Definition of paralyzenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of paralyze That summer, Detroit was paralyzed by a violent uprising, which erupted after the city’s predominantly white police force raided a night club in a Black neighborhood. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026 Of course, Poke Ichii has some prefab choices if you’re paralyzed by the excess of options, and there are some sides to choose from, including Spam musubi, takoyaki and mochi ice cream for dessert. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Coronel Suarez was one of several SAP gang members who have pleaded guilty to shootings that targeted rivals and gang dropouts, and left victims dead or paralyzed. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 Being paralyzed by having your power taken away from a really young age. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze
  1. cripple
  2. intimidate
  3. incapacitate
  4. frighten
  5. undermine
  6. terrify
  7. weaken
  8. scare
Verb
  • In 2022, officials condemned Iran for a cyberattack that crippled Albania's government services.
    — Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Businesses have warned that the duties could cripple their sales and that the threat alone has already taken a toll.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cripple
Verb
  • The Basij boosted its presence during the war, and hard-liners have held nightly rallies in Tehran and other cities, drumming up support and intimidating any possible dissenters.
    — Lee Keath, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Civil rights organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union accused the department of attempting to intimidate the public by arming agents with another use-of-force option.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of intimidate
Verb
  • All that before disorienting and incapacitating a potential school shooter in about a minute.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • This is somewhat reassuring since FEMA now appears to be incapacitated.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of incapacitate
Verb
  • The aggressive approach deeply disrupted and frightened the participants.
    — Kimmie Gordon, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Penelope, too, is asked to occupy a landscape that frightens her, not only as a neurodivergent child in a neurotypical culture, but as a child now situated in an adult world.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of frighten
Verb
  • Attached to his letter is a fact sheet with evidence that Edwards’s claims undermine the committee’s.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
  • For Salesforce, investors have worried that increasingly capable AI models could allow businesses to accomplish more with fewer traditional software subscriptions, undermining the industry's pricing model.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of undermine
Verb
  • Jaylen Edgar, the teenager tried for the 2024 Halloween mass shooting in downtown Orlando that killed two, injured several others and terrified thousands, was found guilty of all charges Monday.
    — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • For Thomas, unpacking what went wrong goes well beyond the headless bodies, terrifying phone calls and dead ends.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrify
Verb
  • Even if Korea can maintain 2% economic growth over the next two decades, consumption growth gradually weakens and eventually turns negative, according to Goldman’s long-term modeling.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Riggs said the Teamsters’ safety argument is weakened by the inconsistent safety record of human truck drivers, who have fallen asleep at the wheel or driven while distracted or otherwise impaired.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • Smaller payouts scare off potential investors, meaning promising treatments are often left on a shelf.
    — Brad Quick, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Historians say the horns may have been blown to scare evil spirits, to proclaim victories, or as a way to encourage divine mercy.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of scare

Browse Nearby Words

paralytic
paralyze
paralyzed
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Cite this Entry

“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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