paralyze
verb
par·a·lyze ˈper-ə-ˌlīz 
ˈpa-rə-
paralyzed; paralyzing
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
Evelyn Whitehead4
: stun, stupefy
I would paralyze the empire with the news! Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling5
: to bring to an end : prevent, destroy
deadlock paralyzed action F. A. Ogg & Harold Zink
F. A. Ogg & Harold Zink paralyzation
ˌper-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən
noun ˌpa-rə-
paralyzer
ˈper-ə-ˌlī-zər
noun ˈpa-rə-
paralyzingly
ˈper-ə-ˌlī-ziŋ-lē
adverb ˈpa-rə
Synonyms
- cripple
- disable
- hamstring
- immobilize
- incapacitate
- prostrate
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Or that the sudden onslaught of thousands of parasocial relationships might paralyze her. ELLE, 12 Aug. 2022 Lack of trust among group members can paralyze decision-making, creating stressful and emotionally charged environments. Brad Cousins, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2021 From there, the virus can spread within the community and, over time, turn into a form that can paralyze people and start new epidemics. CBS News, 22 Aug. 2022 Because most cases of polio do not paralyze, a single case of paralysis suggests that the virus could already be widespread. Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2022 Oral poliovirus vaccines use weakened forms of the virus that, if allowed to spread in a population with low immunization rates for a prolonged period of time, can regain the power to paralyze. Helen Branswell, STAT, 17 Aug. 2022 Doubts about Sandy Hook became the test case that showed how a new generation of outlandish conspiracy theories, born and spread on social media, would poison political discourse, polarize Americans, and paralyze public policy. Amanda J. Crawford, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 And yes, even after she was decapitated by Perseus, Medusa still had the power to paralyze. San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2022 The vaccine viruses in IPV, as it is known, cannot paralyze or transmit from person to person. Helen Branswell, STAT, 7 Aug. 2022 See More
ELLE, 12 Aug. 2022 Lack of trust among group members can paralyze decision-making, creating stressful and emotionally charged environments. Brad Cousins, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2021 From there, the virus can spread within the community and, over time, turn into a form that can paralyze people and start new epidemics. CBS News, 22 Aug. 2022 Because most cases of polio do not paralyze, a single case of paralysis suggests that the virus could already be widespread. Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2022 Oral poliovirus vaccines use weakened forms of the virus that, if allowed to spread in a population with low immunization rates for a prolonged period of time, can regain the power to paralyze. Helen Branswell, STAT, 17 Aug. 2022 Doubts about Sandy Hook became the test case that showed how a new generation of outlandish conspiracy theories, born and spread on social media, would poison political discourse, polarize Americans, and paralyze public policy. Amanda J. Crawford, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 And yes, even after she was decapitated by Perseus, Medusa still had the power to paralyze. San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2022 The vaccine viruses in IPV, as it is known, cannot paralyze or transmit from person to person. Helen Branswell, STAT, 7 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
French paralyser, back-formation from paralysie paralysis, from Latin paralysis
First Known Use
1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
paralyze
verb
par·a·lyze ˈper-ə-ˌlīz
paralyzed; paralyzing
1
: to cause to be unable to move all or part of the body The snake's venom paralyzed the mouse.
2
: to destroy or decrease something's energy or ability to act
The city was paralyzed by a heavy snowstorm.
Medical Definition
paralyze
transitive verb
par·a·lyze
variants or British paralyse
ˈpar-ə-ˌlīz
paralyzed or British paralysed; paralyzing or British paralysing
: to affect with paralysis
paralyzes
verb
1
as in cripples
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move a blizzard paralyzed the city for two days Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- cripples
- incapacitates
- undermines
- weakens
- immobilizes
- disables
- hamstrings
- saps
- undercuts
- attenuates
- debilitates
- mutilates
- enfeebles
- lames
- hobbles
- maims
- enervates
- prostrates
- tires
- knocks out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- energizes
- galvanizes
- invigorates
- vitalizes
- strengthens
- fortifies
- empowers
- restores
- revives
- revitalizes
- rejuvenates
- refreshes
- regenerates
- freshens
- refreshens
2
as in frightens
to deprive of courage or confidence the school board is paralyzed by the threat of lawsuits for just about everything Synonyms & Similar Words
- frightens
- terrifies
- intimidates
- scares
- emasculates
- unnerves
- demoralizes
- unsettles
- debilitates
- undoes
- unmans
- wastes
- weakens
- saps
- terrorizes
- enfeebles
- enervates
- unstrings
- discourages
- softens
- neuters
- disturbs
- disheartens
- daunts
- upsets
- disquiets
- unbalances
- unhinges
- perturbs
- dismays
- deranges
- maddens
- dispirits
- prostrates
- tires
- crazes
- fazes
- discomposes
- psychs (out)
- weirds out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nerves
- strengthens
- fortifies
- encourages
- emboldens
- heartens