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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralyze
The role is particularly noteworthy considering Dane announced earlier this year that he was diagnosed with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that gradually paralyzes the body by destroying the nerve cells that control muscle movement.
—
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
The demonstrations come as the federal government enters its 18th day of shutdown, which has paralyzed federal programs and services while testing the constitutional balance of power.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
The state appears to now use two doses of the sedative pentobarbital, with the attorneys saying the inmates drown in a rush of fluid into their lungs but are paralyzed and cannot react.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Yolo jurors in June failed to reach a verdict after a months-long trial in the killings that paralyzed Davis in late April and May 2023.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
The demonstrations come as the federal government enters its 18th day of shutdown, which has paralyzed federal programs and services while testing the constitutional balance of power.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
The state appears to now use two doses of the sedative pentobarbital, with the attorneys saying the inmates drown in a rush of fluid into their lungs but are paralyzed and cannot react.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Yolo jurors in June failed to reach a verdict after a months-long trial in the killings that paralyzed Davis in late April and May 2023.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze
Verb
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On December 7, 1941, 353 Japanese aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor, killing 2,403 Americans and crippling much of the Pacific Fleet.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Oct. 2025
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Sanctions have crippled the government’s primary source of revenue, oil exports, limiting the state’s ability to provide for millions of impoverished Iranians through social safety nets.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But hiring off-duty cops to intimidate and extort victims, or throw them in jail, represented a significant escalation.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
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While attempting a new hairstyle can feel a bit intimidating, Taylor encourages experimentation and reminds us that curls come in various shapes, patterns, and sizes.—
Essence,
Essence,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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He is accused of slipping incapacitating drugs into victims’ food or drinks before assaulting them between 2021 and 2024.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
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In still other situations, lapses in common knowledge can incapacitate people who really, really need to work together.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When the Maitlands' attempts to frighten the Deetzes away fail miserably, Barbara and Adam turn to the mysterious and mischievous Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) to rid them of the living.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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Around 100 pairs were found abandoned on the roof, perhaps due to the thieves being frightened away, Sheriff John Budensiek said at the news conference.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each would face cross-examination and difficult questions posed by skilled litigators attempting to undermine their positions.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 Oct. 2025
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See video … WATCH TULSI GABBARD – Dem Party is undermining the very foundation of America.—
,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While film critics typically lead with the physical transformation that Sweeney pulled off, equally impressive is her ability to delve into the psyche of a woman who was fearless in the ring but rightfully terrified of the man closest to her.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
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And a chance encounter with ICE in August landed Barojas Solano in detention for six weeks, upending his legal process and leaving them terrified that he could be detained again.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Losing him for the entire World Series would weaken their already-thin bullpen, and force Roberts to get creative in high-leverage situations after his starting pitcher has been removed.—
Jon Paul Hoornstra,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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After accounting for lifestyle variables like exercise, the effects weakened a bit as, for example, more active people tend to spend more time outdoors.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The former instantly adds a second layer of security against unwanted guests, and the latter emits an ultra-loud alarm while acting like a door stop wedge, scaring off any stranger who tries to enter your room.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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Actors dressed as sadistic guards and disturbed prisoners, jump-scaring visitors from the prison cells.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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