1
as in to cripple
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
a blizzard paralyzed the city for two days
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
The boy was unconscious for several minutes and temporarily paralyzed, according to the lawsuit.
—
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
One mother is paralyzed by grief After her husband and son were killed in separate strikes in April 2024, Majda descended into severe depression.
—Toqa Ezzidin, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
The plan would block global flights at certain airports, paralyzing travel for some of the biggest cities in the country — especially New York City.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 28 May 2026
In April 2021, a strike organized by labor unions paralyzed the country, at a time when widespread dissatisfaction was on the rise, particularly on issues such as health, education and employment.
—Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
One mother is paralyzed by grief After her husband and son were killed in separate strikes in April 2024, Majda descended into severe depression.
—Toqa Ezzidin, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
The plan would block global flights at certain airports, paralyzing travel for some of the biggest cities in the country — especially New York City.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 28 May 2026
In April 2021, a strike organized by labor unions paralyzed the country, at a time when widespread dissatisfaction was on the rise, particularly on issues such as health, education and employment.
—Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze
Verb
-
However, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller — who lost the recent Republican primary to a candidate backed by Abbott — said the federal response will take too long and risks crippling the cattle industry.—
Jeffrey Collins,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
-
The protest largely crippled the country’s center, with highways closed and public transportation halted by the massive crowds in both Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv metro area.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
While recognizing peaceful protest as a constitutional right, the judges said actions that disrupt public life, block roads, intimidate others or interfere with constitutional processes do not enjoy legal protection.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
-
As of June 6, Platner stands accused of laying hands on one named woman, and of intimidating behavior against two other women who thus far have not been named.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The lieutenant governor assumes the top job if the governor is incapacitated or dies.—
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
For example, if mom's alive but incapacitated, the heir legally owns nothing and has zero rights to manage the house.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
But the future Hall of Famer is coming off ACL surgery, might lack mobility, and has a receiving corps that frightens nobody.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
-
This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Court records show Sorsby wagered at least $90,000, including bets on Indiana football, as the NCAA warns the ruling could destabilize college sports and undermine competitive integrity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
But that kind of moderation bottleneck undermined the Polymath vision.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
It was made that much worse when several cast members laughed at her insincerity and Maddi Reese interrupted it several times because there was a stray cat nearby that terrified her.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
Because quarterbacks were terrified to throw anywhere near him.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Over the course of two summers, the Kings weakened the fulcrum of their roster by losing Matt Roy and Vladislav Gavrikov in free agency, then exacerbating matters by casting off Jordan Spence for a modest return.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
-
The acid can etch, discolor, or weaken stone and concrete.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Stop using implausible scenarios to scare young people and the gullible with claims about global catastrophe due to future global temperature increases.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
-
Sizable jury verdicts scare entities into expensive settlements, which raises the risk pool’s reinsurance costs and trickles down to members.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
