paralyze

[ par-uh-lahyz ]

/ ˈpær əˌlaɪz /

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See synonyms for: paralyze / paralyzed / paralyzing on Thesaurus.com

Definition of paralyze

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.

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Also especially British, par·a·lyse .

Origin of paralyze

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

synonym study for paralyze

2. See shock¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM paralyze

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

How to use paralyze in a sentence

School districts have been paralyzed by two competing questions in recent months.
Voice Poll: Residents Deadlocked Between Competing Coronavirus School Fears|Will Huntsberry|November 2, 2020|Voice of San Diego
One of the dominant moods of 2020 has been paralyzing uncertainty, and it’s been particularly prevalent this week as Americans wait for the results of the presidential election.
‘On a lot of people’s minds right now’: DTC startups are in a holding pattern until after the election|Anna Hensel|October 30, 2020|Digiday
The cyclist I hit is alive, he wasn’t paralyzed, and as far as I know, he has recovered from his physical injuries.
I Hit a Cyclist with My Car|Brooke Warren|October 28, 2020|Outside Online
From TV ads to outdoor signage to social media ads, ads are paralyzing us.
Inbound marketing for brand awareness: Four up-to-date ways to do it|Ali Faagba|September 11, 2020|Search Engine Watch

The hope, he said, is to allow someone who is paralyzed to walk again.
Elon Musk shows off Neuralink brain implant technology in a living pig|jonathanvanian2015|August 29, 2020|Fortune
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
The series also reversed a long trend that saw the character paralyzed by the Joker and confined to a wheelchair for a decade.
Gail Simone’s Bisexual Catman and the ‘Secret Six’|Rich Goldstein|December 6, 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
They stood paralyzed and only recovered motive force when a neighbour suggested their reading the accompanying letter.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
He paused, glanced through the open window, and there he saw a sight which for the moment paralyzed him.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
The church seemed paralyzed with fear, and for sixteen months no successor was elected.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
The healing of the paralytic has been regarded as a type of the restoration of the soul paralyzed by sin.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
The trader seemed to be paralyzed, for he had remained voiceless during the stirring events.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter

Medical definitions for paralyze

paralyze

[ păr′ə-līz′ ]

To affect with paralysis; cause to be paralytic.

paralyze

Definition of paralyze

Origin of paralyze

synonym study for paralyze

OTHER WORDS FROM paralyze

Words related to paralyze

How to use paralyze in a sentence

Medical definitions for paralyze