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
After surviving a 1981 assassination attempt that paralyzed his right hand, Khamenei served as Iran’s president, brutally repressing dissent.
—
The Week Us, TheWeek, 10 Mar. 2026
He was paralyzed from the waist down.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
Chávez was also 14 when he was shot and paralyzed during a robbery by gang members.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Among those paralyzed, 5 to 10 percent die when their breathing muscles become immobilized, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
The Week Us, TheWeek, 10 Mar. 2026
He was paralyzed from the waist down.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
Chávez was also 14 when he was shot and paralyzed during a robbery by gang members.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Among those paralyzed, 5 to 10 percent die when their breathing muscles become immobilized, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze
Verb
-
By controlling Gaza’s land, air and sea access, Israel has crippled its economy and infrastructure.—
Ken Barnes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Perched between China and India, the country of 30 million people has been plagued for decades by political instability, crippling a largely agrarian economy and worsening unemployment – structural issues compounded by rampant corruption.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Virginia never looked intimidated despite last month’s blowout loss.—
Steve Reed,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
They are intimidated by his beauty and coolness, and keeping driving up to the window.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The defendant at the trial, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, argued that its policy covered only losses resulting from a medically verified, incapacitating illness.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The government claims the brothers used force and drugs to incapacitate the women.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His dribbling, direct running style and finishing frighten defenders and light up the biggest stages.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The piercing sunlight frightens her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The judge said the government has undermined its history of recognizing the importance of involving independent experts in setting the national public health agenda.—
Lena H. Sun,
Washington Post,
16 Mar. 2026
-
A number of leading medical groups raised alarms that the vaccine recommendation changes made under Kennedy would undermine protections against a half-dozen diseases.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jim was a teenager at the time, terrified of his abusive old man and roped into assisting him, along with his brother John Jr.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Mice know cats can smell them, and cats emit chemicals that terrify mice.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Under this model, airlines, hotels, and other end-service providers may benefit, while intermediaries such as ticket booking platforms and price comparison websites may see their roles weakened.—
,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
This weakens the plant and can cause dieback.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ten points to Gryffindor for Bree shooting and subsequently scaring the bear away.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Emphasizing the threat of being mistaken for an intruder should scare everyone into submission.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
