paralyze

[ par-uh-lahyz ]

/ ˈpær əˌlaɪz /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR paralyze ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), par·a·lyzed, par·a·lyz·ing.

to affect with paralysis.

to bring to a condition of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act: The strike paralyzed communications.

Nearby words

paralytic, paralytic abasia, paralytic dementia, paralytic ileus, paralyzant, paralyze, paramagnet, paramagnetic, paramagnetism, paramaribo, paramastitis

Also especially British, par·a·lyse.

Origin of paralyze

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

SYNONYMS FOR paralyze

2 See shock¹.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR paralyze ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

par·a·ly·zant, adjective, nounpar·a·ly·za·tion, nounpar·a·lyz·er, nounpar·a·lyz·ing·ly, adverb

sem·i·par·a·lyzed, adjectiveun·par·a·lyzed, adjective

Examples from the Web for paralyzed

He was paralyzed from the waist down, a World War II veteran and had six weeks to live.
A Million Ways to Die in Prison|Daniel Genis|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This jibe comes after ads in which Davis attacked the paralyzed Abbot for not caring about other wheelchair-bound Texans.
Why D.C. Wants an Election About Nothing|Nick Gillespie|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mark Zuckerberg is putting $25 million towards tackling an epidemic that has paralyzed the world.
How Does Zuckerberg’s Ebola Pledge Measure Up To Other Bigwig Donations?|Nina Strochlic|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It certainly allays fears that the company is stagnating under Tim Cook, too paralyzed to make decisions without its founder.
Bigger, Bolder, and Better Than Ever: Steve Jobs Would Be Proud of Today's Apple|Kyle Chayka|September 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In a 1964 Esquire profile, the usually savage Helen Lawrenson said his personality had paralyzed her into wordlessness.
The Stacks: Mr. Bad Taste and Trouble Himself: Robert Mitchum|Robert Ward|July 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The previously very active animal was paralyzed and lay in whatever position it was placed.
Handbook of Medical Entomology|William Albert Riley
The Administration appeared to be paralyzed under this new demonstration of the power and madness of the Seminoles.
The Exiles of Florida|Joshua R. Giddings
It was the joke of the place that if a German chemist arrived, all business was paralyzed until his secret was seized.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Volume 11 (of 14)|Elbert Hubbard
In Arctic lands labor is paralyzed by cold as it is by heat in the enervating and overproductive Tropics.
Influences of Geographic Environment|Ellen Churchill Semple
The dazed man gulped it down to feel a following surge of warmth and life that pulsed through his paralyzed body.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, December 1930|Various

Word Origin and History for paralyzed

paralyze

1804, from French paralyser (16c.), from Old French paralisie "paralysis," from Latin paralysis (see paralysis). Figurative use from 1805. Related: Paralyzed; paralyzing.

paralyze

verb (used with object), par·a·lyzed, par·a·lyz·ing.

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Origin of paralyze

Examples from the Web for paralyzed

Word Origin and History for paralyzed

paralyze

Medicine definitions for paralyzed

paralyze

v.