as in to paralyze
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
town councils felt immobilized by the powers newly granted to the state legislation
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Recent Examples of immobilize
Construction had already begun on the Copper House when, in 2013, Russell was immobilized with a severe case of an autoimmune disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, that left him paralyzed and then bedridden for months of recovery.
—
Jon Pareles, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
While booting a car may be an appropriate remedy to curb parking violations, booting a car that also immobilizes other non-offending vehicles is inappropriate.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
After the second fall, which occurred at his residence, Pope Francis’ arm was put in a sling to immobilize it.
—Rachel Wolf, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2025
Rodents do extensive, expensive, potentially dangerous and immobilizing damage by chewing on automobiles’ wiring and more.
—Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for immobilize
Jon Pareles, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
While booting a car may be an appropriate remedy to curb parking violations, booting a car that also immobilizes other non-offending vehicles is inappropriate.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
After the second fall, which occurred at his residence, Pope Francis’ arm was put in a sling to immobilize it.
—Rachel Wolf, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2025
Rodents do extensive, expensive, potentially dangerous and immobilizing damage by chewing on automobiles’ wiring and more.
—Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for immobilize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immobilize
Verb
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Soon, failure to hit your daily goals will sound much worse than any of the noise that used to paralyze you.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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The vote has thrown the House into disarray and paralyzed the chamber, leaving Johnson to find a way to break the impasse.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Unlike snakes that rely on camouflage and venom yield to incapacitate prey, the black mamba’s strategy is shock-and-awe defense.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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If she was incapacitated by a crash, her car could’ve veered into the river.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Verb
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The liberation of the leaves will undermine the black-market trade and reduce deforestation by freeing for cultivation lands long ago cleared and abandoned.—
Wade Davis,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2025
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Without them, distrust and disrespect undermine the actions.—
John S. Tobey,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Immobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immobilize. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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