paralytic

1 of 2

adjective

par·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌper-ə-ˈli-tik 

ˌpa-rə-

1

: affected with, characterized by, or causing paralysis

2

: of, relating to, or resembling paralysis

paralytically

ˌper-ə-ˈli-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌpa-rə-

adverb

paralytic

2 of 2

noun

: one affected with paralysis

Synonyms

Adjective

• paralyzed
• disabled

Examples of paralytic in a Sentence

Adjective

a group of paralytic drunks

at first, he would not accept that he was now paralytic and needed help

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Since 1903, 582 total cases — including 39 deaths — have been attributed to paralytic shellfish poisoning in California. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025

In other words, the weakened virus can revert to a contagious, paralytic form that can cause polio in unvaccinated people. —Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025

Noun

For its lethal injection, Florida uses a combination of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, the outlet reported, citing the state Department of Corrections. —Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Edward Zakrzewski, 60, was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke after a three-drug injection, which consists of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the state Department of Corrections. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English paralytyk, from Anglo-French paralitik, from Latin paralyticus, from Greek paralytikos, from paralyein

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paralytic

• analytic
• anxiolytic
• astrocytic
• austenitic
• catalytic
• cytolytic
• dioritic
• diphtheritic
• dolomitic
• endophytic
• epiphytic
• glauconitic

Kids Definition

paralytic

1 of 2 adjective

par·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌpar-ə-ˈlit-ik 

1

: affected with, marked by, or causing paralysis

2

: of, relating to, or resembling paralysis

paralytic

2 of 2 noun

: one affected with paralysis

Medical Definition

paralytic

1 of 2 adjective

par·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌpar-ə-ˈlit-ik 

1

: affected with or characterized by paralysis

2

: of, relating to, causing, or resembling paralysis

paralytic

2 of 2 noun

: one affected with paralysis