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

Some officials, the sources said, have raised concerns about the optics of broadcasting an execution, particularly one in which a firing squad would shoot a paralyzed man confined to a wheelchair. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

The story follows Lowen, a struggling writer hired to complete the book series of renowned author Verity Crawford after an accident leaves Verity paralyzed and unable to communicate. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

The injuries left her paralyzed from the waist down after jumping from a second-story window. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026

But Congress appears paralyzed and its leaders unfamiliar with what they’re supposed to be regulating. — Matt Post, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026