immobilize
verb
im·mo·bi·lize
i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz 
immobilized; immobilizing; immobilizes
: to make immobile: such as
a
: to reduce or eliminate motion of (the body or a part) by mechanical means or by strict bed rest
b
: to prevent freedom of movement or effective use of
the planes were immobilized by bad weather
c
: to withhold (money or capital) from circulation
Synonyms
Examples of immobilize in a Sentence
Doctors immobilized her wrist by putting it in a cast.
I was immobilized by fear.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stay calm and immobilize the affected area to slow the spread of venom.
—
Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 25 Sep. 2024
With little protection against illnesses like smallpox, tuberculosis or plague, people would have been immobilized by fear if not for the ability to repress reality.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
These will not wreck vehicles like an anti-tank mine, but are powerful enough to destroy a tire and leave a vehicle immobilized for FPVs or bomber drones to finish off.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
The drones’ incendiary spray is fairly inaccurate, which is why the 30th Mechanized Brigade had to immobilize that Russian tank before the brigade’s dragon drone could swoop in.
—David Axe, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for immobilize 
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.
Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 25 Sep. 2024
With little protection against illnesses like smallpox, tuberculosis or plague, people would have been immobilized by fear if not for the ability to repress reality.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
These will not wreck vehicles like an anti-tank mine, but are powerful enough to destroy a tire and leave a vehicle immobilized for FPVs or bomber drones to finish off.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
The drones’ incendiary spray is fairly inaccurate, which is why the 30th Mechanized Brigade had to immobilize that Russian tank before the brigade’s dragon drone could swoop in.
—David Axe, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for immobilize
Dictionary Entries Near immobilize
Cite this Entry
“Immobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immobilize. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
immobilize
verb
im·mo·bi·lize
im-ˈō-bə-ˌlīz
immobilized; immobilizing
: to fix in place : make immobile
Medical Definition
immobilize
transitive verb
im·mo·bi·lize
variants
also British immobilise
immobilized also British immobilised; immobilizing also British immobilising
: to make immobile
especially
: to fix (as a body part) so as to reduce or eliminate motion usually by means of a cast or splint, by strapping, or by strict bed rest
immobilizing a fractured bone by a cast and continuous traction
immobilize an injury
immobilize all patients with a suspected neck or spine injury
Legal Definition
immobilize
transitive verb
im·mo·bi·lize
i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz
immobilized; immobilizing
: to make immobile
specifically
: to turn (movable property) into immovable property (as by incorporating it into a building)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share