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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralyzed
Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 3 June 2026
With the royalties, Lillian purchased their paralyzed son Glenn a home of his own.
—Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 1 June 2026
Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2026
During The Andy Griffith Show’s third season, McNear suffered a stroke that paralyzed the left side of his body and necessitated a two-year leave from the series.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralyzed
Adjective
Anita Carrington is launching a nonprofit named after her son Ny'Leek Ellison, who died two months ago from complications stemming from the crash, which happened last year at 9th and Tilghman streets and left him paralyzed from the neck down.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 3 June 2026
With the royalties, Lillian purchased their paralyzed son Glenn a home of his own.
—Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 1 June 2026
Verb
His left side was partially paralyzed.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2026
During The Andy Griffith Show’s third season, McNear suffered a stroke that paralyzed the left side of his body and necessitated a two-year leave from the series.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralyzed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyzed
Adjective
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Bidding is limited to firms owned by disabled veterans.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
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The suspect fled but officers located the vehicle disabled near the scene of the collision, authorities said.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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Sharks often become bycatch – entangled in fishing nets not intended for them, they are rendered helpless and face certain death.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
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After having put Brazil ahead minutes earlier, Richarlison popped a cross from Vinícius Júnior into the air, spun, and struck a spectacular acrobatic volley past Serbia’s helpless goalkeeper.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The protest largely crippled the country’s center, with highways closed and public transportation halted by the massive crowds in both Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv metro area.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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Every team has injuries, but the Packers’ laundry list crippled a team that, when largely healthy, was a legitimate Super Bowl contender.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Hunters often lit blazing fires, which disoriented and frightened the elk, and as many animals as possible were killed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
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And as adult dogs, their frequent escapes through or over the yard’s chain-link fence frightened people living nearby.—
Natasha Holt,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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The sight sends a paralytic tingle of alarm through her.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
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Caplan, founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, contracted paralytic polio as a child in 1957.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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Still-high youth unemployment as well as weak social security systems further weigh on consumption.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
11 Dec. 2025
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That would make the hierarchy and Slot look weak if the rift with Salah isn’t resolved before Saturday.—
Joe Prince-Wright,
NBC news,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Sinatra is alive, but incapacitated.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Dec. 2025
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The boat was clearly incapacitated.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Barred by a Florida family court judge from almost all contact with her mother, and terrified of the father the judge sent her to live with, Mia Ward, 15, was in a hospital waiting room when a security guard approached.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 June 2026
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The comedian was terrified after being fired from NewsRadio.—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paralyzed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyzed. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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