paralyse
Britishverb
-
pathol to affect with paralysis
-
med to render (a part of the body) insensitive to pain, touch, etc, esp by injection of an anaesthetic
-
to make immobile; transfix
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of paralyse
C19: from French paralyser, from paralysie paralysis
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Obsessive, intrusive thoughts can paralyse sufferers with anxiety, fear, disgust or shame - and many will not realise the images they are experiencing in their head are due to OCD.
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
"The court finds that the intention was to paralyse the assembly for a considerable period," Ji told the Seoul Central District Court.
From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026
She is under general anaesthesia: unconscious, insensate and rendered completely still by a blend of drugs that induce deep sleep, block memory, blunt pain and temporarily paralyse her muscles.
From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025
They say Russia would also seek to use its superiority in electronic warfare to paralyse its adversary's command and control and cut off communications with units in the field.
From Reuters • Feb. 24, 2022
Kym’s jellyfish-tentacle hair floated towards him, as if anxious to paralyse new prey.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
