Synonyms

paralyze

American

[par-uh-lahyz] / ˈpær əˌlaɪz /

especially British, paralyse

verb (used with object)

paralyzed, paralyzing

to affect with paralysis.
to bring to a condition of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act.

The strike paralyzed communications.

Related Words

See shock ¹.

Other Word Forms

paralyzant adjective
paralyzation noun
paralyzer noun
paralyzingly adverb
semiparalyzed adjective
unparalyzed adjective

Etymology

Origin of paralyze

First recorded in 1795–1805; back formation from paralysis, modeled on analyze

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.

The Lewiatan Confederation, an NGO representing Polish entrepreneurs, argues the move "could paralyze the labour market".

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

Carol wants to save humanity, yet her angry outbursts can paralyze the entire planet with pain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

Good team, great fans, best ballpark in Southern California – but is an ownership dispute going to paralyze the franchise?

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2025

The treatment uses a combination of suction and heat to destroy the sweat glands, rather than just paralyze them.

From Slate • Aug. 27, 2024

Their eyes can paralyze you; not the tum-you- to-stonc Medusa-type paralysis, but the oh-my-gods-that-big-snake-is-going-to-eat-me type of paralysis, which is just as bad.

From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023