paralyzed 1 of 2

adjective

ˈper-ə-ˌlīzd How to pronounce paralyzed (audio)
Definition of paralyzednext
1
as in disabled
affected with paralysis special ramps for paralyzed people in wheelchairs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose a seemingly paralyzed mayor sat by as the city's crime rate soared

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paralyzed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of paralyze
1
as in crippled
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move a blizzard paralyzed the city for two days

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2
as in frightened
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

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 paralyzed
Adjective
The story follows Lowen Ashleigh, played by Johnson, who is hired to ghostwrite author Verity Crawford’s, played by Hathaway, book following an accident that leaves her paralyzed. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 The former nurse attempted suicide on the night of her children's deaths, leaving her paralyzed and in a wheelchair. — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 In 1995, when Will was 2 years old, his father was thrown from a horse and paralyzed from the neck down. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026 Awartani was shot in the chest and left paralyzed from the waist down. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paralyzed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyzed
  1. disabled
  2. helpless
  3. crippled
  4. frightened
  5. paralytic
  6. weak
  7. incapacitated
  8. terrified
Adjective
  • The movie offered a sly critique of Korea’s rapid urbanization, and introduced the wayward types (bar girls, severely disabled men) that would populate all of Lee’s films.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The closure is part of a project to improve access for disabled visitors and replace the library’s heating and air conditioning system.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of disabled
Adjective
  • The moment when the couple’s infant child is taken from them by the authorities is devastating, each of them capturing a sense of helpless isolation from themselves, their community and each other.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But the funding cuts mean more and more families like Zarmina's are left helpless.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of helpless
Verb
  • He is crippled by doubt, convinced that others are gaining on him.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The long nightmare might be over for South African producers, whose industry has been crippled for more than two years by the paralysis of a rebate program that for all intents and purposes had ceased to function.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of crippled
Verb
  • Douglas says his father’s behavior left him and his brother Joel frightened.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • But the more productive expansion has to do with character, especially as regards Carrie and her mother, who is not the deranged, abusive religious fanatic of previous versions, but an essentially loving parent frightened of the modern world.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • The protocol involved an administration of an anesthetic, sodium thiopental, followed by pancuronium bromide, a paralytic agent, and finally by potassium chloride to stop the heart, all in much higher doses than they’re typically used.
    — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Asbille plays a grieving woman injected with a paralytic drug who must then run, hide and fight her would-be killer before her body shuts down.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of paralytic
Adjective
  • The makeup is top-tier, the Aaliyah swoop bang is swooping, and the jewelry accents stand out without doing too much, which is usually her weak spot.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Brennan's maiden win came at the 2025 Bank of Utah Championship in November against an admittedly weaker field.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of weak
Verb
  • The Vatican has no specific rules on how the leadership of the Catholic Church is transferred should the pope be incapacitated.
    — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Medical advances and popes’ longer lifespans, however, have highlighted this gap in church law and prompted calls for the Vatican to prepare for a pope becoming too ill or incapacitated to govern.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of incapacitated
Verb
  • By this point, the audience knows the monster a little too well to be properly terrified of her.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Letter writer was terrified by friend’s constant phone use in the car — but only got mocked for speaking up.
    — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrified

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Cite this Entry

“Paralyzed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyzed. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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