PARALYZE Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

paralyze

verb

ˈper-ə-ˌlīz

Definition of paralyze

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

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 Though brief, Yoon’s martial law declaration plunged South Korea into a political crisis, paralyzing politics and high-level diplomacy while rattling financial markets. — ABC News, 9 July 2026 According to Villafaña, the intelligence officers guarding the deportees were paralyzed after the earthquake. — Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026 Once injected with venom, the prey is paralyzed and drained of bodily fluids. — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026 Maintaining liquidity, giving them the ability to act immediately when others are paralyzed. — Bygabriel Shahin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for paralyze

Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze

Verb

Russia has been doing this since the start of the war, terrorizing Ukrainian cities with aerial assaults that have killed thousands of civilians and crippled much of the country’s energy grid for months on end.

— Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
Washington denounces Cuba’s overseas medical missions as exploitative and presses allies to drop them, but Calabria’s governor says losing the doctors would cripple care and vows to keep them.

— Paolo Santalucia, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of cripple

Verb

Charlotte didn’t handle teams that push and use force to intimidate the opposition well this past season, often falling short in that department.

— Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
But, for those who are dipping their toe into these massive markets for the first time, the experience can be overwhelming, even intimidating.

— Heather Bien, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

Definition of intimidate

Verb

Many department policies tell officers to move out of the way of a vehicle rather than shoot because of the potential harm to bystanders who could be struck by unintended gunfire or by a careening vehicle if the driver is incapacitated.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Last August, Parithad was catapulted into the position of CEO, after a court deemed Chuchat legally incapacitated.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 13 July 2026

Definition of incapacitate

Verb

Fireworks can frighten animals and send them scattering, but Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets apparently are made of sterner stuff.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
In those moments, what frightened her most was not her own safety but the knowledge that her husband was up there somewhere, flying in the same sky swarming with fighter planes dropping their bombs on Tehran.

— Mahsa Alimardani, Time, 6 July 2026

Definition of frighten

Verb

Opponents, however, argue the legislation could undermine California’s leadership in the technology industry.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
South Africa closed its two major refineries in 2022 after new fuel regulations undermined their commercial logic.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of undermine

Verb

These get forwarded across the internet, and soon masses of young people are surging into an urban plaza or park, often terrifying any adult who happens to be nearby.

— Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Sebastian Krautz went viral on NBC10 Boston this week after admitting he was initially terrified to travel to the United States because of news about crime and safety.

— Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 July 2026

Definition of terrify

Verb

That makes the hot and cold sides quickly equalize, clearly weakening electricity generation.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026
The Kospi Index has tumbled 25% since its June peak, resulting in a $1 trillion wipeout that threatens to weaken its global clout.

— Winnie Hsu, Fortune, 19 July 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

The company will need to regain customers' trust, just as other restaurants like McDonald's, Wendy's and Chipotle have had to in the past after health scares.

— Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Significantly, High Plains offered alternatives to more expensive, two-drink-minimum club shows that might scare off casual comedy fans and newcomers to stand-up.

— John Wenzel, Denver Post, 16 July 2026

Definition of scare

Browse Nearby Words

paralytic

paralyze

paralyzed

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“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of paralyze

verb

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