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 shooting left Jackson paralyzed from the waist down, with a ruptured lung, fractured ribs and a shattered spinal cord, according to the outlet.
—
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Before the Middle East conflict began and the Strait of Hormuz was effectively paralyzed, Russian crude traded at a substantial discount to other benchmarks on global markets.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
And when in doubt or if you’re paralyzed with the paradox of two choices, stick to room temperature.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
As his son was lying partially paralyzed in a hospital bed, Ozog got a call from a colleague who had an unconventional suggestion.
—Lynne Peeples, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Before the Middle East conflict began and the Strait of Hormuz was effectively paralyzed, Russian crude traded at a substantial discount to other benchmarks on global markets.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
And when in doubt or if you’re paralyzed with the paradox of two choices, stick to room temperature.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
As his son was lying partially paralyzed in a hospital bed, Ozog got a call from a colleague who had an unconventional suggestion.
—Lynne Peeples, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze
Verb
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The effective closure of the strait has led to major disruptions to the world’s energy flows, sending oil prices above $100 per barrel and threatening to cripple many economies that rely on energy from the Middle East.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
7 Apr. 2026
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Ten feet of flooding would cripple highways along Manhattan’s edges and damage vital infrastructure, including transit links to the airports.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Forney girls soccer team is filled with underclassmen, but the young Jackrabbits were not at all intimidated by Southlake Carroll and its deep tradition.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
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At the Greeley plant, union officials said the company tried to intimidate workers to quit the union in one-on-one meetings, union general counsel Matt Shechter said.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One was incapacitated and recovering from surgery at a Carmichael surgery center in April 2011.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
23 Mar. 2026
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At the time, the DA's office said Lynch's status would be reviewed in one year, unless he is found to be no longer incapacitated before then.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some frighten people, while others delight them.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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The marsupial escaped from Sunshine Farm in Necedah, a village about 90 miles away from Madison, on March 25, after being frightened by barking dogs, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Long-range drone and missile strikes have been a key element of the conflict as both Kyiv and Moscow seek to degrade the other's economy and undermine their ability to prosecute and fund the ongoing war.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
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However, those efforts could be undermined by a recent increase in 2-year yields that threatens to compress excess spreads, according to Bank of America.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Residents of Tehran, the Iranian capital, say they are exhausted by the bombs that have battered their city on a daily basis and terrified of the security checkpoints that have popped up looking for spies.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
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Since his detainment, Maria said that she's been terrified of leaving the home.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hungary is a major importer of Russian energy and the sanctions would have impacted the country's already weakening economy.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
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But instead, the resolution was further weakened to eliminate any reference to Security Council authorization — which is an order for action — and limit its provisions to the Strait of Hormuz.—
Greg Norman-Diamond,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bossche says the encounter with the rattler hasn't scared her off the trails for good.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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The outlet reported that, in the other scenario, guides and hotel staff, according to the CIB probe, have been coached to scare trekkers at high altitude, where altitude sickness can occur.—
Alex Nitzberg,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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