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
Doctors spent several minutes resuscitating Luka before making the difficult decision to use a paralyzing agent to stop him from moving and potentially hurting himself.
—
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Without these supports, free-will can feel utterly paralyzing.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
During lockdown, Mendelsund was consumed by a deep and paralyzing depression.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
The tactic divided Republicans on the Rules panel, paralyzing the committee.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 23 July 2025
That conflict of interest was paralyzing when the state auditor worked for the governor and Cabinet instead of for the Legislature.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
After her oxygen level reached a hundred per cent, the nurse delivered paralyzing medication.
—Ayesha Khan, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Uncertainty about tariffs is paralyzing businesses who are unsure whether to hire and invest.
—David Goldman, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
While heavy gunfire was paralyzing Haiti’s capital in late February, a man using a fake name approached a 45-foot cargo container parked in a Fort Lauderdale lot.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2025
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Without these supports, free-will can feel utterly paralyzing.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
During lockdown, Mendelsund was consumed by a deep and paralyzing depression.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
The tactic divided Republicans on the Rules panel, paralyzing the committee.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 23 July 2025
That conflict of interest was paralyzing when the state auditor worked for the governor and Cabinet instead of for the Legislature.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
After her oxygen level reached a hundred per cent, the nurse delivered paralyzing medication.
—Ayesha Khan, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Uncertainty about tariffs is paralyzing businesses who are unsure whether to hire and invest.
—David Goldman, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
While heavy gunfire was paralyzing Haiti’s capital in late February, a man using a fake name approached a 45-foot cargo container parked in a Fort Lauderdale lot.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyzing
Verb
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Deadly floods in Asia have devastated crops, crippling already fragile food production.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Thomas’ absence has been crippling for the Giants in recent years.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Instances of swatting have been plaguing the nation for years, with fake shooting threats frightening the public and forcing schools, hospitals, grocery stores, office buildings, and airports into temporary lockdowns.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While the name suggests something far more trivial, significant damage to the ligaments of the metatarsophalangeal joint can be incapacitating.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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To write one’s way out of the incapacitating dependence of daughterhood into autonomy means shedding the unquestioning fidelity of a child.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On the same day, 100 cyclists, e-bike and dirt bike riders took over a Boston highway, terrifying local drivers.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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The tonal whiplash you experience at that point, the sense that Barbarian can be genuinely terrifying one moment and weirdly funny the next, is what transformed the film into a cult hit.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Caracas insists the buildup is part of a broader campaign directed at undermining President Nicolás Maduro’s government.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
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By targeting us – the creators who give voice to diverse narratives and foster dialogue – these signatories are undermining their own cause and attempting to silence us.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There’s calm aura (Jayden Daniels), confident aura (Joe Burrow) and intimidating aura (Maxx Crosby).—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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Romero added that the calls were particularly intimidating at this raw time of heightened political tension and rhetoric.—
Sasha Pezenik,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If using a smartphone, NOAA recommends enabling night mode, disabling flash and relying on a tripod to stabilize the image.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Though an Indiana judge dismissed the charges alleging neglect based on Natalia’s age, prosecutors were able to bring charges against the former couple for neglect based on Natalia’s disabling dwarfism, the Journal and Courier reported.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the 1997 film wasn't his first or last time scaring us on the big screen.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
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Unlike other security systems that passively report break-ins to customers or police, Sauron security agents are constantly monitoring to provide real-time incident responses such as watching and scaring away a would-be robber via their speaker system.—
Victoria Feng,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyzing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyzing. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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