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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralyze
With the House floor paralyzed, House GOP leaders announced on Tuesday that the chamber is leaving for a five-week district work period a day earlier than expected.
—
Lauren Peller, ABC News, 22 July 2025
House Republicans, paralyzed by internal fighting over the Jeffrey Epstein files, will embark early for a lengthy summer recess later this week after canceling votes on Thursday.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 22 July 2025
Trump’s volatile trade policy has paralyzed many businesses.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
Three years ago, a ransomware attack hit one of our key clients at 2 a.m. on a Friday, paralyzing their customer service operation and threatening $50,000 per hour in losses.
—Anuj Tyagi, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Lauren Peller, ABC News, 22 July 2025
House Republicans, paralyzed by internal fighting over the Jeffrey Epstein files, will embark early for a lengthy summer recess later this week after canceling votes on Thursday.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 22 July 2025
Trump’s volatile trade policy has paralyzed many businesses.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
Three years ago, a ransomware attack hit one of our key clients at 2 a.m. on a Friday, paralyzing their customer service operation and threatening $50,000 per hour in losses.
—Anuj Tyagi, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Verb
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If you're intimidated by orange, Dior's Rouge Dior Lipstick in 200 Nude Touch is a great starter shade with a beautiful warm undertone, as is Fenty Beauty's Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Noodz & Dudez.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
14 Aug. 2025
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Following his arrest, law enforcement learned that Reardon called the Israeli Consulate in Boston 98 times between Oct. 7, 2023 and Jan. 29, 2024, and made harassing and intimidating statements.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Now in her 21st year in office, Howard recalled the warmth and support that came her way in 2019 from her House colleagues when her husband was stricken with the incapacitating illness that would claim his life the following year.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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He was found guilty this week after a two-and-a-half week trial where the victim testified she was incapacitated after heavy drinking at the party and unable to provide consent.—
Chris Biderman
July 3,
Sacbee.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Most give up halfway, frightened by the warnings of those below.—
Sudhir Gupta,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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While the notion might frighten fans who have Thursday nights perpetually blocked off on their calendars, shorter episodes could prove beneficial in giving the Critical Role founders a little bit of a break.—
Dana Reboe,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Trump’s suggestion of easing economic restrictions has drawn sharp criticism from European allies, who warn that any premature normalization could undermine the unified Western stance on sanctions and harm Ukraine’s position in ongoing negotiations.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
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Israeli authorities have stated that Chinese involvement in missile development or supply could directly undermine Israel's defense efforts.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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These are the hallmarks of the Alien franchise, which have remained mostly consistent across the seven movies (plus two vacuous Alien vs. Predator crossovers) that have kept those terrifying Xenomorphs coming back to our screens every decade since the original premiered in 1979.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Aug. 2025
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She too is terrified of facing her father, played by Cheon Ho-jin.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But Goolsbee said Trump’s immigration crackdown likely has affected population growth and the jobs numbers, but that doesn’t mean the labor market has substantially weakened.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
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This means banana particles can remain between teeth for an extended period, giving bacteria more time to produce acids that weaken tooth enamel.14 6.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Some, scared off by the complexity of picking a policy and by the price tags, tumble over the edge and go without insurance in a health system where the rate for an emergency room visit can be thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars.—
Elisabeth Rosenthal,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
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Effectively scaring a bear also reinforces the person as dominant in an encounter, so the bear learns to avoid people.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
9 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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