paralyze

especially British, par·a·lyse

[par-uh-lahyz]

verb (used with object)

paralyzed, paralyzing 

1. to affect with paralysis.

2. to bring to a condition of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act.

   The strike paralyzed communications.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of paralyze¹

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

Synonym Study

See shock ¹.

Example Sentences

Networks, and I was left with two herniated cervical discs and a terrifying warning from my doctor: one wrong move, and I could be paralyzed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

One shot from the second volley severed Carrillo’s spine, leaving him instantly paralyzed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“If Tokyo needed to be evacuated,” he later said, “I feared the entire nation of Japan would be paralyzed by chaos for quite a long time.”

Read more on Literature

Mr. Barrack is frustrated with Lebanon’s “paralyzed government,” and it isn’t his fault.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Not only had this patrol set a new record for ships sunk, but it had paralyzed Japanese shipping” in the area, Mr. Clavin writes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• demolish 
• destroy 
• disable 
• freeze 
• halt 
• incapacitate 
• knock out 
• stun 
• weaken