1
as in crippling
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 frightening
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 paralyzing
His grief was crushing, paralyzing, calamitous.
—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2026
The tiniest decisions were paralyzing.
—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Barricades erected on key roads have effectively isolated the city of La Paz, triggering fuel and food shortages, paralyzing transportation and preventing patients from reaching hospitals — causing at least seven deaths for lack of medical attention, the government says.
—
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Barricades erected on key roads have essentially isolated the city of La Paz, Bolivia’s seat of government, triggering fuel and food shortages, paralyzing transportation and preventing patients from reaching hospitals.
—
Paola Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Not vague discomfort, but deep, paralyzing fear.
—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
The disease can be paralyzing, or even fatal.
—
Ciara McCarthy 15,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
Moorehead has followed Clark’s story from 2000, when the running back for Eisenhower High School suffered a paralyzing spinal cord injury in a game through his death in 2012.
—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Jordan Peele originated the idea of the seemingly never-ending paralyzing nightmare trap in his 2017 blockbuster.
—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2026
The tiniest decisions were paralyzing.
—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Barricades erected on key roads have effectively isolated the city of La Paz, triggering fuel and food shortages, paralyzing transportation and preventing patients from reaching hospitals — causing at least seven deaths for lack of medical attention, the government says.
—
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Barricades erected on key roads have essentially isolated the city of La Paz, Bolivia’s seat of government, triggering fuel and food shortages, paralyzing transportation and preventing patients from reaching hospitals.
—
Paola Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Not vague discomfort, but deep, paralyzing fear.
—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
The disease can be paralyzing, or even fatal.
—
Ciara McCarthy 15,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
Moorehead has followed Clark’s story from 2000, when the running back for Eisenhower High School suffered a paralyzing spinal cord injury in a game through his death in 2012.
—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Jordan Peele originated the idea of the seemingly never-ending paralyzing nightmare trap in his 2017 blockbuster.
—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyzing
Verb
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Eddie Marsan also delivers a sympathetic turn as the sad sack dad worn down by the effects of capitalism and sometimes crippling OCD.
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Crucially, the strike targeted a critical AVT-6 distillation unit, potentially crippling the refinery's entire 12 million tons/year capacity,.
Verb
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Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.
-
This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.
Verb
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Tabitha grabs one of the weird, spooky totem things and drives it through the chest of the scarecrow monster attacking Donna, killing it – or at least incapacitating it – and the scarecrows retreat.
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One of four passengers in Bain’s car, 22-year-old Destiny Betts, suffered incapacitating injuries and was transported to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial from the scene, according to the report.
Verb
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Grand Canyon The Grand Canyon is breathtaking and also terrifying with a 4-year-old along.
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Facing the endless Cylon onslaught in the void of space is terrifying even in 2D battles, but many of Scattered Hopes' gut punches happen during unexpected narrative events or tough choices that doom entire ship populations.
Verb
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Introducing such evidence can provoke sympathy for the defendant and distrust towards the prosecuting attorney, potentially undermining the case.
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The following evening, three legislators complained to me that several of these groups were actively undermining one another.
Verb
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While the shorter styles can be a bit intimidating, longer cigarette pants versions like this pair are easy to style for the office and shopping days.
-
The New York Times reported that multiple women who once dated Platner described the Maine oysterman’s behavior as intimidating and unsettling.
Verb
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Oftentimes, disabling security protections is frowned upon.
-
Anthropic complied within hours, disabling the models for all customers globally, though other models remain active.
Verb
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Suddenly the seller is tiptoeing, managing the buyer's mood, terrified of saying the wrong thing and scaring them off.
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Two earthquakes jolted Venezuela with one-two punch on Wednesday, damaging buildings and scaring people who felt the violent shaking.
Cite this Entry
“Paralyzing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyzing. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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