Synonyms of paralyzed

paralyzed 1 of 2

adjective

ˈper-ə-ˌlīzd 

1

as in disabled

affected with paralysis

special ramps for paralyzed people in wheelchairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disabled
• paralytic
• maimed
• mutilated
• incapacitated
• weak
• impaired
• quadriplegic
• paraplegic
• debilitated
• hemiplegic
• feeble
• hobbled
• hamstrung
• enfeebled
• paretic
• weakened
• infirm
• decrepit
• wasted
• frail

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• well
• whole
• able-bodied
• healthy
• sound
• fit
• robust
• hearty
• hale

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

• helpless
• weak
• incompetent
• powerless
• impotent
• passive
• incapable
• handcuffed
• hog-tied
• hamstrung
• high and dry
• useless
• feeble
• unfit
• impuissant
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• supine
• inept
• infirm
• spineless
• frail
• unaggressive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• powerful
• able
• capable
• strong
• mighty
• competent
• effective
• efficient
• potent
• dominant
• autocratic
• authoritarian
• dynamic
• major
• important
• tough
• forceful
• energetic
• vigorous
• significant
• sturdy
• tyrannical
• senior
• robust
• despotic
• top
• puissant
• dictatorial
• high-level
• magisterial

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crippled
• incapacitated
• immobilized
• disabled
• weakened
• undermined
• hamstrung
• debilitated
• prostrated
• enfeebled
• attenuated
• sapped
• tired
• undercut
• mutilated
• hobbled
• enervated
• maimed
• lamed
• knocked out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• energized
• galvanized
• invigorated
• vitalized
• strengthened
• empowered
• fortified
• restored
• revived
• rejuvenated
• revitalized
• refreshed
• regenerated
• freshened
• refreshened

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

• frightened
• terrified
• scared
• intimidated
• unnerved
• emasculated
• unsettled
• demoralized
• weakened
• debilitated
• wasted
• enfeebled
• unmanned
• undid
• disturbed
• terrorized
• discouraged
• sapped
• enervated
• unstrung
• tired
• upset
• softened
• daunted
• disheartened
• neutered
• dispirited
• dismayed
• crazed
• prostrated
• perturbed
• maddened
• disquieted
• deranged
• unbalanced
• unhinged
• fazed
• psyched (out)
• discomposed
• weirded out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strengthened
• nerved
• fortified
• encouraged
• emboldened
• heartened

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of paralyzed

Adjective

After strangling the children in the basement of her home with exercise bands, Clancy attempted to kill herself by jumping out of the window of her Duxbury home, leaving her paralyzed. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2026

This is a major escalation for the kingdom, which had re-routed much of its oil exports through Red Sea ports as the Strait of Hormuz remains paralyzed. — Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Verb

Members of Gen Z, a cohort raised on social media, might feel especially paralyzed by this. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026

Clancy then jumped out a window and was paralyzed in the fall. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026