1
as in cripples
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
a blizzard paralyzed the city for two days
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
-
Federal illegality further cripples operations with banking and tax burdens.
-
In the final version of the film, Furiosa captures Dementus, cripples him, brings him back to the Citadel.
Verb
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What frightens scientists more than the sheer numbers are that the cuts are arbitrary and manifestly pernicious.
-
But the future Hall of Famer is coming off ACL surgery, might lack mobility, and has a receiving corps that frightens nobody.
Verb
-
The Martian tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who becomes stranded on Mars after a dust storm incapacitates him.
-
Lorenzo confronts and incapacitates Pepe, Sonia’s main ally, before facing Sonia herself.
Verb
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Frankly, the thought of being beaten by the subscribers terrifies me.
-
Aubry Bracco is the kind of player who terrifies a certain (male) demographic of Survivor alumni.
Verb
-
That pressure erodes well-being, undermines family life, and disproportionately impacts working parents and caregivers.
-
It is believed internally that the organization’s independence has been dramatically compromised because she is also perceived as an opinion journalist with political ties to the current administration, which further undermines her credibility.
Verb
-
Any loud sound just scares her terribly.
-
Look directly at the thing that scares you.
Verb
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When foreign investors pull money out of the country, demand for the rupiah drops, and the currency weakens.
-
Every interaction either builds confidence or weakens it.
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.
-
The aura of the classical guitar intimidates me.
Cite this Entry
“Paralyzes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyzes. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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