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
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
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
Two others are blooming, including Alexandrium, which creates saxitoxin and causes paralytic shellfish poisoning that can be harmful to marine mammals and humans, and Akashiwo sanguinea, which can cause hypothermia in sea birds.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
CBS News, 1 May 2025
The executioner who initiates the flow of lethal chemicals into Tanzi's body then enters the room to begin the state's three-drug protocol — beginning with etomidate, an anesthetic, followed by rocuronium bromide, a paralytic, and potassium acetate, which will induce cardiac arrest.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralytic
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Adjective
During this six-month period, mussels may have naturally occurring toxins that can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid biotoxins, also known as amnesic shellfish poisoning.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
Two others are blooming, including Alexandrium, which creates saxitoxin and causes paralytic shellfish poisoning that can be harmful to marine mammals and humans, and Akashiwo sanguinea, which can cause hypothermia in sea birds.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
Noun
Florida's lethal injection protocol uses a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the state Department of Corrections.
—CBS News, 1 May 2025
The executioner who initiates the flow of lethal chemicals into Tanzi's body then enters the room to begin the state's three-drug protocol — beginning with etomidate, an anesthetic, followed by rocuronium bromide, a paralytic, and potassium acetate, which will induce cardiac arrest.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralytic
Cite this Entry
“Paralytic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paralytic. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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