spastic paralysis

noun

Definition of spastic paralysisnext
as in disability

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 spastic paralysis Over the past couple of months, Lizzo and Beyoncé were both called out for their use of a word that is considered a slur in the disability community that refers to people with spastic paralysis or cerebral palsy. — Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spastic paralysis
  1. disability
  2. impairment
  3. hemiplegia
  4. paresis
  5. paraplegia
  6. quadriplegia
  7. cerebral palsy
  8. diplegia
Noun
  • For families who believe their child's rights were violated based on race, disability, or gender in school, the federal agency often has been one of the main places to turn.
    — Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The bill is funded by updating how the VA rates conditions such as tinnitus and sleep apnea, part of a larger overhaul of the disability rating system underway since 2017.
    — Vanessa Chism, Baltimore Sun, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of disability
Noun
  • Hormone therapy should not be prescribed specifically as a treatment for cognitive impairment or as a way to prevent dementia, Rozenfeld says.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Geriatric ERs also try to counter sensory impairment, another contributor to delirium, by distributing reading glasses and sound-amplifying devices.
    — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of impairment
Noun
  • My son had suffered a massive stroke shortly after birth, leaving him with cerebral palsy and hemiplegia.
    — Danielle Stephens, USA Today, 26 July 2026
  • Rupert was transported to the hospital and genetic testing led to him being diagnosed with alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) in January 2026.
    — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Definition of hemiplegia
Noun
  • Two of the rats were paralyzed and unable to reach food or water, and a third had paresis and had trouble moving.
    — Rob O'Dell, The Arizona Republic, 23 June 2021
  • Doctors diagnosed her with paresis of the vocal folds, a muscular dysfunction.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2019
Definition of paresis
Noun
  • Actor/performance artist/artist Anne Gridley, known for her work with Nature Theater of Oklahoma, created and performs this solo piece (with background dancers) about her experience with hereditary spastic paraplegia, a health condition which is gradually taking away her ability to walk.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2026
  • Then, when Walter was just 5, Deramus was in a car wreck that left her in a wheelchair with paraplegia.
    — Laurie Stern, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026
Definition of paraplegia
Noun
  • Despite being in a wheelchair with incomplete quadriplegia, Lee Fair almost never stays at home.
    — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Porter remains the only player in program history to suffer from quadriplegia as a result of an injury in a game or practice.
    — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Definition of quadriplegia
Noun
  • My son had suffered a massive stroke shortly after birth, leaving him with cerebral palsy and hemiplegia.
    — Danielle Stephens, USA Today, 26 July 2026
  • Along with Day-Lewis, Fricker won an Oscar for her performance in the movie about an Irish man born with cerebral palsy who could control only his left foot.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 July 2026
Definition of cerebral palsy
Noun
  • Walker was diagnosed with a rare form of cerebral palsy (spastic diplegia) at 18 months, forcing him to wear leg braces throughout his childhood.
    — McKinley Franklin, Variety, 13 Sep. 2023
  • Spastic diplegia primarily involves the legs, often causing stiff hip and leg muscles.
    — Lauren Sieben, SELF, 22 Mar. 2022
Definition of diplegia

Browse Nearby Words

spastic
spastic paralysis
spat
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spastic paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spastic%20paralysis. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tilde

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All