1
as in to cripple
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 to intimidate
to deprive of courage or confidence
the school board is paralyzed by the threat of lawsuits for just about everything
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralyze
Crockett has faced significant backlash for the remarks about Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who was paralyzed from the waist down in 1984 after being crushed by an oak tree while jogging.
—
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025
Garrett, who was paralyzed as a result of the crash, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, fleeing to elude high speed (serious bodily injury or death), battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and criminal mischief.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
But right now, the congressional leadership is paralyzed in the face of Trump's massive assertion of executive power.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Financial markets have crashed, consumers are frightened, and deals are paralyzed.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025
Garrett, who was paralyzed as a result of the crash, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, fleeing to elude high speed (serious bodily injury or death), battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and criminal mischief.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
But right now, the congressional leadership is paralyzed in the face of Trump's massive assertion of executive power.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Financial markets have crashed, consumers are frightened, and deals are paralyzed.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze
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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And, Wright says, human therapists should not be intimidated by their AI counterparts.—
Katia Riddle,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2025
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For the past year and a half, our Arab, Palestinian, and Muslim community at Microsoft has been silenced, intimidated, harassed, and doxxed, with impunity from Microsoft.—
Jordan Novet,Hayden Field,
CNBC,
4 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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For the most part, yes, although children ages 8 and younger might be frightened by some of the action sequences.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
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Despite these protections on paper, permanent residents and visa-holders have been frightened by the speed and ferocity of the Trump administration’s crackdown and its bulldozing of due process rights, said Neil A. Weinrib, an immigration attorney for more than four decades.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2025
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
Verb
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Robbins’ parents were terrified that the school was using the laptop to spy on their son and other students (including their daughter Paige).—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
8 Apr. 2025
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The thought of dying without finding out what happened to her son terrifies Petrone.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But that progress stalled out around the turn of the year, which weakened the case for further rate cuts and ultimately prompted the Fed to stand pat in January.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
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More broadly, consumer sentiment has declined and retail sales growth has weakened, reflecting the uncertainty of customers over where the economy is headed.—
Harry Holzer,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As part of their efforts, the duo are trained to simply scare the animals off and run five to seven miles daily, rain or shine.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Ant scare Anthony Edwards finished with a team-high 28 points on an efficient 10-for-15 shooting from the field.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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