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 Vaccines Are Victims Of Their Own Success Most parents have not seen a child permanently paralyzed by polio or struggling to breathe from diphtheria. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 But as anyone who’s stared at a wall of swatches well knows, choosing the right shade can feel paralyzing. — Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2026 The next afternoon, in Central Park, a 15-year-old boy named Shavod Jones shot McDonald three times, severing his spinal cord and paralyzing him from the neck down. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Then, in April, two months after becoming paralyzed, Mohn entered a rehabilitation program. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for paralyze

Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze

Verb

Africa desperately needs them, crippled by a fundamental lack of traditional national film funding incentives.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
Winds cripple aerial firefighting Nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft were deployed, but gale-force winds drove flames through dry forest and crippled the response, preventing some aircraft from reaching the sea to collect water.

— Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of cripple

Verb

Lemon and several other journalists have been charged with violating the FACE Act, which prohibits people from intimidating or interfering with individuals’ constitutional right to the freedom of religion.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Survivor Series 2003 featured a match starring the gigantic, intimidating wrestler known as The Undertaker.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of intimidate

Verb

Conclusion The world’s deadliest snakes use different biological weapons to incapacitate their victims.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
Some people with severe cases – with a high fever or incapacitating diarrhea that is bloody – may need to get care at a hospital.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of incapacitate

Verb

Taylor contends the company welcomes more FDA scrutiny, and cautions against letting the outbreak frighten consumers away from eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

— Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Studios that let a government inquiry frighten them into caution are not managing risk.

— Christopher Racster, IndieWire, 23 July 2026

Definition of frighten

Verb

Eight maritime groups signed a joint open letter to the UN and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Monday, warning that introducing tolls could drive up costs for consumers and undermine the principles of free navigation.

— Todd Symons, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Burnout research explains why organizational systems often undermine that recovery.

— Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of undermine

Verb

He is terrified by it, but at the same time tries to use this instrument of terror so as to be master of it in his turn.

— Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
Cristobal and the Canes are crushing recruiting by every conceivable metric, which should terrify the rest of the country.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrify

Verb

However, consuming large amounts—such as those used in studies where up to 1/2 cup was consumed daily—can start to weaken and damage tooth enamel.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
Apple’s market dominance is built around September; moving away from tradition would upset the ecosystem supporting the launch and risk weakening the iPhone’s dominant position.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of weaken

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 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of paralyze

verb

Example Sentences

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