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
Generate rough drafts when perfection paralyzes you.
—
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The smaller wasp quickly stings the spider, injecting its powerful venom that does not kill but permanently paralyzes it.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The smaller wasp quickly stings the spider, injecting its powerful venom that does not kill but permanently paralyzes it.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyzes
Verb
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An ongoing alien siege cripples the world’s militaries, infrastructure, and communication centers but Will can run Premiere Pro, FaceTime, WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and remote control a Tesla all at the same time.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Many of us are conditioned to think that our ultimate goal in life is to be with someone, so much so, that the mere thought of being alone frightens us.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The first time terrifies every founder.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The moped-like sound of the Shaheds whooshing above the rooftops still unsettles but no longer terrifies.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
18 May 2025
Verb
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This persistent erasure not only undermines the economic opportunities and visibility these creators deserve, but also distorts the narrative of where many of fashion’s most influential movements originate.—
Corein Carter,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
This decision undermines basic constitutional protections and deepens the climate of intimidation against both immigrants and people of color.—
Norma Chavez-Peterson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Persistent, sticky inflation is what scares us.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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But for both actors, their horror movies are more about love than scares.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Any delay in release weakens hatchlings and affects their survival rates.—
M. Rajshekhar,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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Beyond 100 people, culture often fragments, communication distorts and the founder’s vision weakens.—
Jonathan Low,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After Wednesday disables the machine with an axe, Isaac’s ability no longer works, and Thing attacks him.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
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To be specific, this mode disables custom actions, changes backlighting to a single color, and prevents profile switching.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Kirk assassination angers and unsettles leaders, residents The assassination of Kirk, which happened in front of hundreds of people and was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has in particular rattled the nation and drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum.—
Mark Vancleave,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
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Yet for all the focus now on the technology’s effects on jobs or geopolitics, what unsettles Altman most are the subtle, almost imperceptible cultural shifts that spread when millions of people interact with the same system every day.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyzes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyzes. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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