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

Allen survived but was left permanently paralyzed, according to police. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2025

According to the release, any savings from ending this type of care will go to supporting paralyzed veterans and amputees. —Jaden Amos, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025

The film confronts the devastating accident that took place on August 13, 1990, when Mayfield, as he was being introduced at a concert in Flatbush, Brooklyn, was struck by a falling lighting tower that left him paralyzed from the neck down. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025

Without Latinos, and their working power, this country will become paralyzed. —Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for paralyzed

• acclimatized
• actualized
• aerosolized
• alphabetized
• aluminized
• anaesthetized
• anesthetized
• annualized
• antagonized
• apologised
• apologized
• capitalised