1
as in disabled
affected with paralysis
special ramps for paralyzed people in wheelchairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in crippled
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
a blizzard paralyzed the city for two days
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frightened
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
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Recent Examples of paralyzed
Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025
The passenger suffered serious injuries that will leave her paralyzed from the waist down, according to the affidavit.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
No child should be paralyzed by a preventable disease.
—Dr. Tunji Funsho, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyzed
Adjective
Turmail pointed to the Brent Spence Bridge’s paralyzed development as a prime example of regulations, including permitting requirements, impeding progress.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025
The passenger suffered serious injuries that will leave her paralyzed from the waist down, according to the affidavit.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is slated to publish September inflation data on Friday morning, in spite of a government shutdown that has paralyzed federal reporting and has no end in sight.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
No child should be paralyzed by a preventable disease.
—Dr. Tunji Funsho, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyzed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyzed
Adjective
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The show fares better with the Irvine clan, which in addition to Milo, Marissa and Peter includes Peter’s sister, Lia (Abby Elliott), a recovering drug addict, and their brother, Brian (Daniel Monks), a disabled day trader.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
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Many recipients are elderly, disabled, or children, groups unable to participate in the workforce.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
People eventually outgrow the helpless-baby stage.—
Anna Louie Sussman,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Without money and without a means to earn it, women are helpless to determine the course of their own lives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Despite possessing some of the world’s largest oil reserves, mismanagement and falling global prices have crippled the economy.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Sanctions have crippled the government’s primary source of revenue, oil exports, limiting the state’s ability to provide for millions of impoverished Iranians through social safety nets.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Malik’s boss is not happy that Malik doesn’t have a grip on the Crane brothers, though Malik assures him that Amos frightened Sarah into backing off — and that Dinah is tucked away at a safe house.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
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Don’t be frightened, though, fans; The Parent Trap gal is still in the competition!—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The sight sends a paralytic tingle of alarm through her.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
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For the past decade, Sughra Ayaz has traveled door to door in southeastern Pakistan, pleading with parents to allow children to be vaccinated against polio as part of a global campaign to wipe out the paralytic disease.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Western countries could exploit weak points in supply chains for many of Russia's advanced fighter jets, including by tightening up sanctions as Ukraine strikes Russia's industrial facilities, according to a new report.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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Respiratory difficulty, constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids and a weak and altered cry are among the symptoms of infant botulism.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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One caller said a delta-8 gummy incapacitated their adult son for several hours.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Another note that came up in the responses to this question is that everyone, of any age, should make sure that there are plans in place for a friend or relative to take care of the dog if the owner is incapacitated or dies.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Everyone was terrified of Friedkin.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
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Trump is terrified of the midterms, of Republicans losing control of the House or the Senate or both.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyzed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyzed. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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