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

The injury left her paralyzed from the waist down and in a wheelchair, Laposata said. — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Prosecutors said Clancy planned the murders before faking a suicide attempt that left her paralyzed and in a wheelchair. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

Clancy jumped out a window after strangling the children to death and was paralyzed in the fall. — Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

Coronel Suarez was one of several SAP gang members who have pleaded guilty to shootings that targeted rivals and gang dropouts, and left victims dead or paralyzed. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026