1
as in to cripple
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
a blizzard paralyzed the city for two days
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to intimidate
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 paralyze
Maupin remembers seeing a young woman, standing alone in the middle of the street, paralyzed in fear.
—
Melissa Chan, NBC news, 8 June 2025
Recent months have seen Cuba virtually paralyzed by blackouts.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
Last year, Grimm was paralyzed from the chest down when he was thrown off a horse during a polo tournament.
—Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Fear of the unknown, driven by economic instability and geopolitical shifts, can paralyze teams.
—David Meade, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Melissa Chan, NBC news, 8 June 2025
Recent months have seen Cuba virtually paralyzed by blackouts.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
Last year, Grimm was paralyzed from the chest down when he was thrown off a horse during a polo tournament.
—Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Fear of the unknown, driven by economic instability and geopolitical shifts, can paralyze teams.
—David Meade, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Verb
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When Chinese critics of the government speak out, they are regularly harassed and intimidated — even in our country, where Chinese dissidents have been threatened by agents of their government.—
Jovante Teague,
Sun Sentinel,
17 June 2025
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An escalation in political violence The shootings come as political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated amid deep political divisions.—
Obed Lamy,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2025
Verb
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With a range of up to 30 feet, pepper-spray balls are made of plastic that breaks on impact to release a chemical irritant intended to stun or incapacitate somebody.—
Ramon Padilla,
USA Today,
11 June 2025
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You could be incapacitated or unable to act on your own but still need someone to make important decisions for you.—
Jim Wang,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
Verb
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May 9, 2024 Gary Usher, a songwriter who worked with Landy, told state investigators that Wilson was a virtual captive, manipulated by a man who frightened and intimidated him.—
Steve Marble,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
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Today, movies and TV intended for the biggest audience possible often water down their storytelling and generalize in order to avoid anything that might challenge, frighten or unsettle the audience.—
Alissa Wilkinson,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
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History suggests the move may prove counterproductive, undermining concrete American interests in the name of rushing into a speculative new extractive frontier.—
Time,
Time,
17 June 2025
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In fact, May data shows rents in Connecticut have now fallen for the first time in years, undermining the idea that these tools are the problem.—
Jim Amann,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Every manager, then, wanted a guy on his bench who was there for one reason only: to grab a bat, terrify the closer and obliterate a baseball.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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Farm laborers, many of whom have lived and worked in their communities for decades, were terrified of being rounded up and deported, separated from their families and livelihoods.—
Jessica Garrison,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Since then, a series of shifts has reshaped the Middle East and weakened Iran and its proxies, the war in Gaza, Israel's decimation of the leadership of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the collapse of the Syrian regime, and now Israel's surprise attack.—
/ CBS News,
CBS News,
15 June 2025
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Should the economy unexpectedly weaken, larger and sooner cuts are possible.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Verb
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However, the stories about Porter from Cleveland and Houston may scare enough other teams that Milwaukee can keep him at that price. 7.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
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That is because high costs are still scaring off buyers, who are also delaying purchasing a home because of growing economic uncertainty.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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