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
Below the surface hide tentacles that can stretch up to 100 feet, filled with venom, trapping and paralyzing small fish, and occasionally harming humans.
—
Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2025
During a Zoom session with 16-year-old Casey, her eyes barely opened as if sadness had invaded her facial muscles, paralyzing them into a mask of sorrow.
—Patricia Steckler, Baltimore Sun, 18 June 2025
The National Labor Relations Board is paralyzed, and the Merit Systems Protection Board is somewhat hamstrung, with both lacking the quorum necessary to act.
—Claire B. Wofford, The Conversation, 13 June 2025
In this article: The News The View From Europe
The View From The Middle East
The View From China
The View From Russia
The News
Global leaders urged restraint Friday after Israel launched a major string of strikes on Iran aimed at paralyzing the country’s nuclear and military might.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2025
During a Zoom session with 16-year-old Casey, her eyes barely opened as if sadness had invaded her facial muscles, paralyzing them into a mask of sorrow.
—Patricia Steckler, Baltimore Sun, 18 June 2025
The National Labor Relations Board is paralyzed, and the Merit Systems Protection Board is somewhat hamstrung, with both lacking the quorum necessary to act.
—Claire B. Wofford, The Conversation, 13 June 2025
In this article: The News The View From Europe
The View From The Middle East
The View From China
The View From Russia
The News
Global leaders urged restraint Friday after Israel launched a major string of strikes on Iran aimed at paralyzing the country’s nuclear and military might.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Her longstanding reputation for being intimidating was thought to have inspired Miranda Priestly's character in The Devil Wears Prada, a book written by her former assistant Lauren Weisberger and later made into a movie starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep.—
Colleen Kratofil,
People.com,
26 June 2025
-
How Unions are Stepping in to Fill Governance Gaps Unions have observed that many workers feel intimidated by the technical nature of AI and are uneasy when discussing their concerns with their employers.—
Oludolapo Makinde,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Most states require adults to appoint someone to make medical decisions, including authorizing treatment, if they become incapacitated.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
15 June 2025
-
Using a drone, state police were able to determine that both suspects were incapacitated, having suffered apparent gunshot injuries, Fusaro said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
The woman inside banged pots and pans and screamed at the bear to try to frighten it away, officials said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2025
-
Winston Churchill said the U-boat peril was the only thing that really frightened him during World War II.—
Carl Burdette,
Baltimore Sun,
22 June 2025
Verb
-
Your bombastic attacks on the free press are, at best, unflattering — and at worst, undermine a core tenet of democracy.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2025
-
Trump is undermining our economy with reckless tariffs, harsh cuts, and ICE agents terrorizing our communities.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
The loud noises terrify many dogs and cats into running away — which is easier with more doors opening during parties.—
Jen Reeder,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The women on the ward were terrified by the sudden invasion of masked people.—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Abandoning recognition can erode motivation, diminish engagement and make employees feel invisible, weakening the cultural fabric and undermining long-term resilience.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
But in an unexpected ruling in 2023, the Supreme Court declined an invitation to weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.—
June 27,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
The chemistry is real, but Nic scares me for Olandria.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
27 June 2025
-
The camper attempted to scare off the bear by banging pots and pans and screaming at the bear.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share