paralyzed

adjective

par·​a·​lyzed ˈper-ə-ˌlīzd 

ˈpa-rə-

1

: affected with paralysis

If the right hemisphere of the brain is badly damaged in its sensory (parietal) areas, patients may show … an unawareness that anything is the matter, even though the left side of their body is senseless or paralyzed.

—Oliver Sacks

Thousands of paralyzed people worldwide are in the socially closed-off state.

—Christen Brownlee

2

: rendered incapable of movement or action

I was not found by the teacher until what seemed to me hours later but was probably five minutes, paralyzed with fright.

—Kay Boyle

Those who uncover plagiarism become paralyzed with embarrassment, letting the culprit escape rather than confronting him.

—Walter Kendrick

Synonyms

• paralytic

Examples of paralyzed in a Sentence

special ramps for paralyzed people in wheelchairs

a seemingly paralyzed mayor sat by as the city's crime rate soared

Recent Examples on the Web

The intoxicating collab with the Hole lead vocalist came as a pleasant surprise on the LP, as listeners are left floating to space while simultaneously feeling paralyzed and sinking to the depths of the ocean. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 18 Nov. 2024

Between the lines: Any period of uncertainty could see the country thrust into a time of legal drama, paralyzed governance and overall distrust, as Axios' Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen reported. —Adam Tamburin, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

By Jamie Ducharme October 30, 2024 7:16 AM EDT Five years ago, John Cho’s father became paralyzed after a medical procedure went wrong, leaving him with few ways to exercise. —Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024

The film, which tells the story of their father and star of the 1978 movie Superman, covers his early days in New York City with his best friend Robin Williams to the 1995 horse-riding accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down and its aftermath. —Jeremy Helligar, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1