as in disability
complete or partial loss of physical function (as motion or sensation) in a part of the body the car accident left one athlete with paralysis from the waist down

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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.
Recent Examples of paralysis In April 2025, Lil Nas X announced in an Instagram Reel that he had been hospitalized for partial facial paralysis. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025 This isn’t the first time a celebrity has dealt with facial paralysis. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 15 Apr. 2025 The polio virus attacks the nervous system and often leads to paralysis of lower limbs and, in severe cases, the muscles that control breathing. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025 Eric Dane Reveals if Cal Jacobs Will Return for 'Euphoria' Season 3: 'There's Gonna Be Redemption' ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rare degenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis of the muscles, according to the Mayo Clinic. Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralysis
Noun
  • Yet there’s still this assumption that actors with disabilities aren’t there.
    Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The programs were created to serve as guardrails for civil rights enforcement, and to help remedy inequities faced by groups that have historically been discriminated against, such as minorities, women and people with disabilities.
    Jonathan Swan, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • While there was a net loss of $28.3 million or $2.24 per share in the fourth quarter, which ended Feb. 1, it was attributed to a goodwill impairment charge and transaction expenses related to the acquisition of Vince by P180 from Sun Capital in January.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 2 May 2025
  • Despite the topline growth, the company booked a wider 610 million loss due to asset impairment charges related to online doctor consultation app KonsultaMD and ramp-up costs of the new cancer hospital.
    Ian Sayson, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • However, a somewhat common condition known as Bell’s palsy — when the facial nerve becomes inflamed — can be the root of temporary facial paralysis.
    Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Embiid, though, was still battling injury throughout that series, which included Bell’s palsy.
    Scott Thompson, Fox News, 23 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Without the puck, Nurse and Bouchard have the same weakness (read and react, wandering).
    Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 3 May 2025
  • Soft data like consumer confidence survey, polling and jobless claims show signs of economic weakness.
    Alain Sherter, CBS News, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralysis. Accessed 12 May. 2025.

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