paralyze

verb

par·​a·​lyze ˈper-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce paralyze (audio)
ˈpa-rə-
paralyzed; paralyzing
Synonyms of paralyzenext

transitive verb

1
: to affect with paralysis
The snake's venom paralyzed the mouse.
2
: to make powerless or ineffective
A strike would paralyze the industry.
3
: unnerve
The paralyzing thing is the uncertainty …—Evelyn Whitehead
4
: stun, stupefy
I would paralyze the empire with the news!—Rudyard Kipling
5
: to bring to an end : prevent, destroy
… deadlock paralyzed action.—F. A. Ogg and Harold Zink
paralyzation
ˌper-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce paralyze (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
noun
paralyzer
ˈper-ə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce paralyze (audio)
ˈpa-rə-
noun
paralyzingly
ˈper-ə-ˌlī-ziŋ-lē How to pronounce paralyze (audio)
ˈpa-rə
adverb

Synonyms of paralyze

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Examples of paralyze in a Sentence

The snake's venom paralyzed the mouse. The air strikes have paralyzed the city's transportation system. The company was paralyzed by debt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Askew’s uncle said his nephew was partially paralyzed by the gunshot and that blood clots in his legs led to an aneurysm. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 Reagan survived the assassination attempt, but former White House press secretary James Brady was paralyzed in the shooting, and Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy and Washington police officer Thomas Delahanty were injured. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026 Additionally, prosecutors warned that heavy spring storms and king tides regularly paralyze the downtown area with flooding. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The tropical storm hit Japan days after Typhoon Dolphin created havoc in parts of southern Japan, paralyzing traffic and sending hundreds to take shelter. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paralyze

Word History

Etymology

French paralyser, back-formation from paralysie paralysis, from Latin paralysis

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of paralyze was in 1763

Rhymes for paralyze

See All Rhymes for paralyze

Browse Nearby Words

paralyzation
paralyze
paralyzed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paralyze. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

paralyze

verb
par·​a·​lyze ˈpar-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce paralyze (audio)
paralyzed; paralyzing
1
: to affect with paralysis
2
: to make powerless or unable to act, function, or move

Medical Definition

paralyze

transitive verb
par·​a·​lyze
variants or British paralyse
ˈpar-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce paralyze (audio)
paralyzed or British paralysed; paralyzing or British paralysing
: to affect with paralysis
paralyzation noun
or British paralysation
ˌpar-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce paralyze (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on paralyze

Nglish: Translation of paralyze for Spanish Speakers

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