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
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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
-
The author takes an overnight Amtrak journey instead of a flight to Washington as the government shutdown cripples Atlanta’s airport.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
These pressures could produce a tsunami that fractures the state’s fiscal foundation, self-inflicts a crisis ultimately demanding drastic cuts, and cripples its competitiveness.—
Andrew Rein,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But the future Hall of Famer is coming off ACL surgery, might lack mobility, and has a receiving corps that frightens nobody.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
-
The piercing sunlight frightens her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
-
Frankly, the thought of being beaten by the subscribers terrifies me.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Aubry Bracco is the kind of player who terrifies a certain (male) demographic of Survivor alumni.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That shift undermines federal goals for the U visa program, the DOJ said in a news release Tuesday.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
-
Treating speech like violence undermines a free society.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Maybe the strait’s name—Death’s Door—scares them off.—
Charles Usher,
Midwest Living,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Subtract what weakens the system.—
Nilton Bernini,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Teams evolve at different speeds, innovation concentrates among a small subset of employees, and trust across the organization weakens.—
Matt Rosenbaum,
Fortune,
29 May 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 aura of the classical guitar intimidates me.—
Peter Wayne Moe,
Longreads,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paralyzes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyzes. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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