paralyzes

verb

present tense third-person singular of paralyze
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of paralyzes Fear, like ignorance, shuts our eyes to and paralyzes our trust in God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and unfailing love for His children, whereas the understanding of God’s ever-present goodness removes the fear that generates suffering. — André Kisonga, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026 These opportunists drown out the core mission, creating a cacophony of competing voices that confuses donors, crowd the inboxes of CEOs and members of Congress with colliding petitions, and paralyzes meaningful action by draining critical funding and attention away from the truly effective groups. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyzes
  1. cripples
  2. frightens
  3. incapacitates
  4. terrifies
  5. undermines
  6. scares
  7. weakens
  8. intimidates
Verb
  • Federal illegality further cripples operations with banking and tax burdens.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
  • In the final version of the film, Furiosa captures Dementus, cripples him, brings him back to the Citadel.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026
Definition of cripples
Verb
  • And for members who have a long history, who are used to running on that long history, that frightens them.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Diego Gomez is a stop-gap alternative, but Mitoma remains a key figure who frightens opposing defences with his dribbling speed and influential record in the top flight.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightens
Verb
  • The Martian tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who becomes stranded on Mars after a dust storm incapacitates him.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 28 May 2026
  • Lorenzo confronts and incapacitates Pepe, Sonia’s main ally, before facing Sonia herself.
    — Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
Definition of incapacitates
Verb
  • What terrifies you about this moment and inspires you about this moment?
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
  • That prospect terrifies Hamid, the relief worker who survived the drone strike.
    — Mat Nashed, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 2026
Definition of terrifies
Verb
  • Also, and not to totally belabor the point, but limiting analysis of the NFL’s impact on the ad market to in-game revenue effectively undermines the second-order impact on non-NFL pricing.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Unethical conduct undermines the rule of law, risks national security, and sets a dangerous precedent for every level of government.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of undermines
Verb
  • The exposure obviously scares him, but not enough to stop him from filming his next scene, where he’s been tasked with breaking in newcomer Cami Soul.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Don’t be afraid to volunteer for a responsibility that scares you a little.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of scares
Verb
  • As that constraint weakens, so, too, may an incentive for restraint.
    — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Infants with the condition may have lifelong complications and may need a heart transplant if the defect is complex, or if the heart weakens after surgery, according to the federal health agency.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakens
Verb
  • Opponents say the ambiguous law only intimidates people from using the flag in art, protests or other forms of expression, and could violate constitutional freedom of speech.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of intimidates

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Cite this Entry

“Paralyzes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyzes. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of paralyzes for Spanish Speakers

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