1
as in to cripple
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
a blizzard paralyzed the city for two days
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to intimidate
to deprive of courage or confidence
the school board is paralyzed by the threat of lawsuits for just about everything
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralyze
In 1988, over 1,000 children were becoming paralyzed with the virus every single day.
—
Jennifer Lotito, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Don’t let minor risks paralyze major opportunities. 5.
—Aslak De Silva, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The memos, also obtained by ProPublica, estimated that up to 166,000 people would die from malaria due to the cuts, while 200,000 children would be paralyzed by polio.
—Dan Cody, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Teen partially paralyzed ‘weed’ dealer in Hammond shootout: charges
A Merrillville teen tried to rob a marijuana dealer.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Jennifer Lotito, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Don’t let minor risks paralyze major opportunities. 5.
—Aslak De Silva, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The memos, also obtained by ProPublica, estimated that up to 166,000 people would die from malaria due to the cuts, while 200,000 children would be paralyzed by polio.
—Dan Cody, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Teen partially paralyzed ‘weed’ dealer in Hammond shootout: charges
A Merrillville teen tried to rob a marijuana dealer.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Verb
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Mushrooms are a delicious addition to recipes, but preparing them for a dish can be intimidating.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
25 Mar. 2025
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France’s bureaucracy can be intimidating, especially for those who don’t speak French.—
CNN.com,
Mercury News,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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When your inheritance involves a death The reality of inheritances is that most happen after a loved one dies or experiences an incapacitating health event.—
Janet Arzt,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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In both of Bonta’s lawsuits related to federal firings, the attorney general asserted Trump had violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which prevents the president from using reduction in force process to incapacitate the Education Department from functioning.—
William Melhado,
Sacramento Bee,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Miller, of course, is aware that Trump’s intention, always, is to shock, to play the madman, and thus frighten his rivals and alter the terms of the debate.—
David Remnick,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
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Seeing those kinds of numbers in headlines may have started to frighten U.S. consumers, data shows.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The talks are set to take place amid concerns that the Kremlin is weaponizing ceasefire negotiations to delay and undermine negotiations for a settlement to the war.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
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And yet Francis has never been shy about showing his frailty, age or infirmities in ways that seem unthinkable for public figures for whom any sign of fragility can threaten their authority and undermine their agenda.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Since its debut in 2012, the NBC procedural drama has released 13 seasons featuring its ensemble of dedicated firefighters, paramedics and rescue personnel who work to save the city’s residents from terrifying life-or-death situations.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Charli adds as the woman’s face subtly transforms from patient to terrified.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Seth Jones, president of the defense and security department of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says a trade war that punishes U.S. partners in the region threatens to weaken ties with Asian allies, possibly forcing them to reassess the reliability of U.S. security commitments.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2025
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The doctor added that recovery would best continue away from the hospital, where exposure to viruses risks weakening the Holy Father's condition.—
Danielle Wallace,
Fox News,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Education, management and enforcement needs to be re-evaluated so this type of transportation doesn’t continue to scare pedestrians.—
Jonathan Horwitz,
Orange County Register,
21 Mar. 2025
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Possibly, those who spent a lot of time looking at all kinds of NPCs are harder to scare with imperfect 3D models of people.—
Victor Erukhimov,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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