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

Her dismissal has paralyzed the labor board by leaving it without a quorum.

From Los Angeles Times

“Our daily problems continue, but we cannot become paralyzed. ... We keep on going forward trying to work out our differences,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

“We have a special role in that. We are not going to get silenced, and we’re not going to be paralyzed.”

From Los Angeles Times

And he accomplished his most significant work without the use of his hands or legs, which became effectively paralyzed after he contracted a rare and debilitating autoimmune condition called Guillain-Barré syndrome in 2003.

From Los Angeles Times

Bondi responded by firing Grace and naming Habba acting U.S. attorney, sparking confusion over who actually held the post and all but paralyzing the federal criminal court system in the Garden State.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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