paralyzed

adjective

par·​a·​lyzed ˈper-ə-ˌlīzd How to pronounce paralyzed (audio)
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

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
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.
Before the polio vaccine was introduced in 1955, tens of thousands of children were catching the disease every year; thousands of them died, and more were left paralyzed. Bruce Handy, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025 Because tariffs are a type of taxation, Mr. Trump’s plan is among the largest tax increases in decades, analysts say, a policy change that sent the stock market reeling, paralyzed corporate investment and shoved the economy closer to a recession. Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025 This innovation combines artificial intelligence (AI) with neuroscience, allowing a paralyzed man to manipulate a robotic arm by imagining movements, a feat that marks a significant milestone in restoring autonomy to people with severe motor impairments. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025 However, many companies, especially in the mid-market range ($100 million to $1 billion), have been somewhat paralyzed with anticipation and afraid to make a move. Gary Hoover, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for paralyzed

Word History

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of paralyzed was in 1763

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Cite this Entry

“Paralyzed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paralyzed. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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