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
But then, only feet away from the cliff, the helicopter stopped sliding, immobilized by a white wall of snow that had mythically, magically, and wonderfully piled up underneath it.
—
Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 May 2025
In the wake of her passing, I was immobilized by grief.
—Carissa Talmage, People.com, 2 May 2025
The viscous substance coats the attacker, immobilizing or fatally compromising them by clogging joints, mouthparts and spiracles.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
An After-Mating Meal All octopuses are venomous, with the majority of these cephalopods using their venom to fend off their predators or to immobilize their prey.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for immobilize
Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 May 2025
In the wake of her passing, I was immobilized by grief.
—Carissa Talmage, People.com, 2 May 2025
The viscous substance coats the attacker, immobilizing or fatally compromising them by clogging joints, mouthparts and spiracles.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
An After-Mating Meal All octopuses are venomous, with the majority of these cephalopods using their venom to fend off their predators or to immobilize their prey.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for immobilize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immobilize
Verb
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This clarity prevents the confusion about who's in charge that often paralyzes organizations.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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The closures have angered local business owners and caused congestion on detour routes that frequently paralyzes the streets of Wharton along with surrounding communities in Morris County.—
Jared Kofsky,
ABC News,
17 May 2025
Verb
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To pry the babies away from their mothers, poachers often kill or incapacitate the mothers and their troops, prosecutors said in the release.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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Thousands more were injured or incapacitated by the cold weather.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 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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Things could have been better still had Leclerc’s race not been undermined by the timing of the two safety cars.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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Trump has pursued policies that have repeatedly undermined the agenda of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—and show that divisions between the United States and Israel are widening.—
Daniel Byman,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Immobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immobilize. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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