1
as in cripples
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 frightens
to deprive of courage or confidence
the school board is paralyzed by the threat of lawsuits for just about everything
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralyzes
In fact, too much choice often paralyzes decision-making.
—
David Meade, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Once an octopus ambushes and bites its prey, the venom in its saliva paralyzes the prey, allowing the octopus to consume it.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026
Monster blizzard paralyzes Northeast with extreme snow, soaring power outages.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
For example, the curare plant poisons used by South and Central American hunters paralyzes the respiratory system.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026
Turning his challenge into a mission and helping others overcome what paralyzes them.
—Isabella Kunde, CBS News, 2 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, Dane himself announced that he had been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease, which gradually paralyzes the body by destroying the nerve cells that control muscle movement.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 25 Nov. 2025
Our lack of understanding paralyzes our ability to get in front of the supply.
—Dr. Shravani Durbhakula, Time, 19 Nov. 2025
Catching a glimpse of Leatherface in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre temporarily paralyzes his victims much the same way a glance from Medusa will turn someone into stone.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
David Meade, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Once an octopus ambushes and bites its prey, the venom in its saliva paralyzes the prey, allowing the octopus to consume it.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026
Monster blizzard paralyzes Northeast with extreme snow, soaring power outages.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
For example, the curare plant poisons used by South and Central American hunters paralyzes the respiratory system.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026
Turning his challenge into a mission and helping others overcome what paralyzes them.
—Isabella Kunde, CBS News, 2 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, Dane himself announced that he had been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease, which gradually paralyzes the body by destroying the nerve cells that control muscle movement.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 25 Nov. 2025
Our lack of understanding paralyzes our ability to get in front of the supply.
—Dr. Shravani Durbhakula, Time, 19 Nov. 2025
Catching a glimpse of Leatherface in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre temporarily paralyzes his victims much the same way a glance from Medusa will turn someone into stone.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyzes
Verb
-
Drones allow aggressors to target critical infrastructure that cripples a defender’s economy at low cost and with high accuracy.—
Omar Al-Ubaydli,
semafor.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Holloway stars as John Matherson, a college professor and former military officer charged with protecting his community after a catastrophic electromagnetic pulse attack cripples the nation.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The piercing sunlight frightens her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Like the 1987 Kurt Vonnegut novel from which the restaurant took its name, Bluebeard encourages guests to drop their guard, surround themselves with other people and try something that frightens them a little.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lorenzo confronts and incapacitates Pepe, Sonia’s main ally, before facing Sonia herself.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The intercepting Raider drone follows the target, incapacitates the hostile drone using a mesh net and a parachute to safely lower it to the ground.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
29 June 2025
Verb
-
Aubry Bracco is the kind of player who terrifies a certain (male) demographic of Survivor alumni.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
25 Feb. 2026
-
What terrifies Iran’s theocrats the most, the fear that eclipses all their fears, is the ability of the people at large to clearly see the essential realities of the present regime.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the prospect of it undermines the premise of the Alt5-World Liberty deal.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
-
Sorsby’s eligibility despite placing thousands of bets will likely attract criticism that the court ruling undermines the NCAA’s anti-gambling rules.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Even horror shows are written from a place of what scares the author the most, and most sci-fi shows are grounded in human truth.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
-
Gather five of the most relevant comedians working today and ask what scares them most, and the answers vary.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Restricting those channels weakens influence competitors have struggled to match.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
-
Iran’s government warned that any division at home over the deal weakens its negotiating position, and those criticizing negotiators are taking aim at a national decision.—
Julia Frankel,
Fortune,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates or interferes with airline crew members can lead to penalties of up to $43,658 per violation, according to the FAA.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
-
The evolution of the game intimidates me.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paralyzes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyzes. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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