paralyze
Americanverb (used with object)
-
paralyzes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
paralyzed,
past participle, past
-
paralyzing
present participle
-
to affect with paralysis.
-
to bring to a condition of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act.
The strike paralyzed communications.
Synonym Usage
See shock 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
paralyzationnoun
-
paralyzernoun
-
paralyzantadjective
-
semiparalyzedadjective
-
unparalyzedadjective
-
paralyzinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
paralyzesimple
-
paralyzessimple
-
have paralyzedperfect
-
has paralyzedperfect
-
am paralyzingprogressive
-
are paralyzingprogressive
-
is paralyzingprogressive
-
have been paralyzingperfect progressive
-
has been paralyzingperfect progressive
Past
-
paralyzedsimple
-
had paralyzedperfect
-
was paralyzingprogressive
-
were paralyzingprogressive
-
had been paralyzingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of paralyze
First recorded in 1795–1805; back formation from paralysis, modeled on analyze
Explanation
Use the verb paralyze to describe something that makes it impossible to move or function, like a snowstorm that threatens to paralyze a city. Accent the first syllable in paralyze: "PA-ruh-lies." Until 1805, the only way to paralyze someone was physically — the word was used to indicate that a person had lost the ability to move their body, often as a result of an accident of illness. More recently, the definition has widened to include figurative uses like being "paralyzed by fear." It doesn't mean you are literally immobilized — just that you are so scared, it feels that way.
Vocabulary lists containing paralyze
Schooled
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Where the Red Fern Grows
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 6
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
But Taiwanese defense experts have taken away a different lesson: cheap equipment from a lesser military, such as dumb mines thrown in a strait, may just be enough to paralyze a superpower.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 10, 2026
The Lewiatan Confederation, an NGO representing Polish entrepreneurs, argues the move "could paralyze the labour market".
From Barron's ● Jan. 20, 2026
A severe conflict may paralyze the business and destroy morale among employees.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 3, 2025
I showed up at the restaurant in a party dress, heels and a big smile, trying not to let memories of finding a table in the school cafeteria paralyze me.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2025
They floated around the ocean like fluffy pillows, trailing enough venom to paralyze a swimmer.
From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer
Meanwhile, Salieri’s invisible seething paralyzes him, turning into the punishment he believes God inflicted on him.
From Salon ● May 16, 2026
However, once triggered in this context, the response effectively paralyzes the cells.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 20, 2026
Levamisole paralyzes them, whereas the newly discovered small molecule—dubbed selectivin—kills them outright.
From Science Magazine ● May 25, 2023
This hopelessness paralyzes public critique, enabling tech companies to proceed unchecked.
From Slate ● May 4, 2023
“The longer you’re here, the less you notice it. There’s something in it that paralyzes your sense of smell.”
From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer
A stroke in 2012 left him partially paralyzed, interrupting a busy acting career.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
She was also battling back from a severe lower back injury that left her almost paralyzed last year.
From Salon ● Aug. 17, 2026
"Traffic is paralyzed and people don't want to go back to their homes for fear of an aftershock."
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
Join us on a time-travel adventure to the ’90s: If you’ve recently been paralyzed by choice or felt overconnected but underinvested in your friendships, Slate has an antidote for you.
From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2026
Usually when I got scared I could almost outrun my shadow, but I was beyond being scared, I was paralyzed.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
Paz is facing paralyzing country-wide protests and calls for his resignation.
From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026
Millions of Americans were facing dangerously cold temperatures Monday in the wake of a massive winter storm that whipped snow and ice across the country, knocking out power and paralyzing transportation.
From Barron's ● Jan. 26, 2026
For Tamma and Dan, this is likened to fighting through the paralyzing obstacles of poverty and family pressure.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 23, 2026
The warbling never improved, but it was heartening to see someone get over their paralyzing self-consciousness.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2025
Rather, he “devoured” the book: it struck him like a jolt of electricity, both paralyzing and galvanizing him.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
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.
