1
as in to cripple
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
a blizzard paralyzed the city for two days
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralyze
In a declaration to the court, university President Sunil Kumar said Öztürk’s arrest has paralyzed the school’s international community, which now fears for its safety.
—
Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
The daughter, Georgette Smith, was paralyzed in the shooting and died after winning a court order to remove her ventilator.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
The damage was fractures to both hands, his right arm, left and right leg and some broken ribs, but the multiple injuries to his spinal cord were the most devastating of all, paralyzing his legs.
—Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
However, so much has happened since 2020 — the year that a pandemic paralyzed the country — that Idahoans could be forgiven if their memories of the event are a little hazy.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
The daughter, Georgette Smith, was paralyzed in the shooting and died after winning a court order to remove her ventilator.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
The damage was fractures to both hands, his right arm, left and right leg and some broken ribs, but the multiple injuries to his spinal cord were the most devastating of all, paralyzing his legs.
—Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
However, so much has happened since 2020 — the year that a pandemic paralyzed the country — that Idahoans could be forgiven if their memories of the event are a little hazy.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 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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During this protest, police intimidated and ultimately beat the strikers, resulting the death of at least six people, according to the American Postal Workers Union.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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Trump critics are pointing to this as another attempt to undermine the judiciary by intimidating judges with threats of arrest.—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Verb
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For example, deleting the genetic region responsible for producing this toxin in E. coli can actually incapacitate the bacteria from promoting cancer in animals.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2025
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Lasers can incapacitate pilots, many of whom are flying airplanes with hundreds of passengers.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The king of the forest was once frightened by the sound of a bull.—
John Nemec,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2025
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The prospect of returning to the role, first for a West End reprise in February and then for the Brooklyn performance frightened her.—
Alexis Soloski,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Miranda Jeyaretnam and Chad de Guzman reported on April 30, 2025, for the 50th anniversary of the war’s end, on how President Donald Trump is undermining U.S.-Vietnam reconciliation.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
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This kind of long-term vision is undermined by drastic and unpredictable trade policies.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The house that the Americans strategically position themselves in is home to two families; there are occasional insert shots of family photos and trinkets, and at several points these families are shown cowering, terrified by what’s happening around them.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2025
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If the deportations don’t terrify you yet, consider this: Erik Prince, a close Trump ally and founder of the private military contractor Blackwater, is advancing a $25 billion proposal to the White House to build mass detention centers in order to deport some 12 million immigrants.—
Sandy Tolan,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The pests set about sucking the sap from grape roots, slowly weakening them and opening wounds that invited disease.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
28 Apr. 2025
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As more state legislation is passed that weakens or eliminates longstanding fire and life safety codes, the need for young workers who are trained and passionate about reversing these trends is high.—
Jim Pauley,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the beginning of the movie, Karsh goes on a date, but his grief scares the woman away.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2025
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There were no players who really scared opposing defensive coordinators.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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