paralyze

[ par-uh-lahyz ]

/ ˈpær əˌlaɪz /

SEE 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.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON THESE WORDS FROM BROWN GIRL DREAMING!

Visualize yourself passing this quiz on words from Jacqueline Woodson’s exquisite verse novel “Brown Girl Dreaming,” and then take the quiz to prove you can do it! (Because you can.)

Question 1 of 10

What does “barren” mean?

a cylindrical wooden container with slightly bulging sides.

Worn down by dullness, tedious repetition.

unproductive; unfruitful

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

Example sentences from the Web for paralyze

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

Medical definitions for paralyze

paralyze

[ păr′ə-līz′ ]

v.

To affect with paralysis; cause to be paralytic.

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

paralyze

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

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON THESE WORDS FROM BROWN GIRL DREAMING!

Origin of paralyze

synonym study for paralyze

OTHER WORDS FROM paralyze

Example sentences from the Web for paralyze

Medical definitions for paralyze

v.

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

paralyze

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

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON THESE WORDS FROM BROWN GIRL DREAMING!

Origin of paralyze

synonym study for paralyze

OTHER WORDS FROM paralyze

Words related to paralyze

Example sentences from the Web for paralyze

Medical definitions for paralyze

v.