1
as in disabled
affected with paralysis
special ramps for paralyzed people in wheelchairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose
a seemingly paralyzed mayor sat by as the city's crime rate soared
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in crippled
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 frightened
to deprive of courage or confidence
the school board is paralyzed by the threat of lawsuits for just about everything
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralyzed
Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
For all of the fiery drama that happens in the third act — including murder, terrorism, and full-frontal nudity from a paralyzed Joaquin Phoenix — the only act of lasting historical consequence is the data center from fictional solidgoldmagikarp corporation finally being built in Eddington.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 July 2025
Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
Garrett, who was paralyzed as a result of the crash, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, fleeing to elude high speed (serious bodily injury or death), battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and criminal mischief.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyzed
Adjective
As the novel virus ravaged the city and paralyzed employment opportunities, the now 29-year-old decided to use her time during lockdown to explore a side hustle as an influencer on TikTok.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
For all of the fiery drama that happens in the third act — including murder, terrorism, and full-frontal nudity from a paralyzed Joaquin Phoenix — the only act of lasting historical consequence is the data center from fictional solidgoldmagikarp corporation finally being built in Eddington.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 July 2025
Verb
The daughter, Georgette Smith, was paralyzed in the shooting and died after winning a court order to remove her ventilator.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
Garrett, who was paralyzed as a result of the crash, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, fleeing to elude high speed (serious bodily injury or death), battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and criminal mischief.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyzed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyzed
Adjective
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The focus on preventing disabled people from existing, rather than orientating research towards effective supports and quality of life has a disturbing resonance with eugenics.—
Nancy Doyle,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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The shower for disabled people was once broken for two months, Zaleta added.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Not long after, Brady looked helpless on his final snap as a Patriot, standing at the 1-yard line with nine seconds left because of that maneuver, which Stretch stole from Brady’s head coach and turned against them both.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
7 Aug. 2025
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As for the Aces, Vegas has lost two in a row and looked helpless last time out, losing 109-78 to the Minnesota Lynx.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 July 2025
Verb
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His vengeance included turning Michigan State in for NCAA violations, leading to probation that crippled the program until the late 1970s.—
Joe Rexrode,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
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As the city litigated and revised the environmental impact report, two devastating storms in December 2023 and February 2024 — the same series that crippled San Diego’s Ocean Beach Pier — substantially damaged the wharf.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Since 1903, 582 total cases — including 39 deaths — have been attributed to paralytic shellfish poisoning in California.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2025
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In other words, the weakened virus can revert to a contagious, paralytic form that can cause polio in unvaccinated people.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And if tariffs only cause a one-time jump in prices, weaker purchasing power could slow the economy.—
Raul Elizalde,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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The airline cited weak travel demand and financial challenges.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Hours before that performance, as Ivy has a diva moment and Karen is incapacitated in a reformatting of the series’ poisoning plot line, Bombshell’s assistant director, Chloe (Bella Coppola), suddenly has to step up to play Marilyn, winning the love of the internet.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2025
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Successful organizing includes documenting evidence of government abuses, sharing information broadly, and building administrative systems rather than relying on a few leaders who may be assassinated or otherwise incapacitated.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The movie sees the revival of arch-villain Feathers McGraw, who terrified kids in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 2024
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My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Those at high-risk for listeria infection are newborns, those who are pregnant, have weakened immune systems, and those aged 65 or older.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
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But the militants, while greatly weakened, have repeatedly regrouped, often after Israeli forces withdraw from areas.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyzed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyzed. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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