paralysis
noun
pa·ral·y·sis
pə-ˈra-lə-səs 
plural paralyses
pə-ˈra-lə-ˌsēz
1
: complete or partial loss of function especially when involving the motion or sensation in a part of the body
2
: loss of the ability to move
3
: a state of powerlessness or incapacity to act
Examples of paralysis in a Sentence
The disease causes a paralysis of the legs.
The whole country is in a state of paralysis.
They are trying to end the political paralysis that has been gripping the country.
Recent Examples on the Web
But those seconds carry weight, Jean said, particularly at a moment when Haiti is grappling with escalating gang violence, political paralysis and foreign military presence.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Transformational coach Eron Zehavi focuses on how interpretation shapes paralysis and movement.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
In the production, Hayes plays Elliott, a writer grappling with creative paralysis who retreats to a remote cabin, only to find the line between imagination and reality dangerously blurred.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
For governments, company leaders, investors, and others, the danger of the present lies not in uncertainty itself, but in the demand for overly simple solutions and the paralysis induced by their inevitable failure.
—Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
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Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Transformational coach Eron Zehavi focuses on how interpretation shapes paralysis and movement.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
In the production, Hayes plays Elliott, a writer grappling with creative paralysis who retreats to a remote cabin, only to find the line between imagination and reality dangerously blurred.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
For governments, company leaders, investors, and others, the danger of the present lies not in uncertainty itself, but in the demand for overly simple solutions and the paralysis induced by their inevitable failure.
—Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Cite this Entry
“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paralysis. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paralysis
noun
pa·ral·y·sis
pə-ˈral-ə-səs
plural paralyses
-ə-ˌsēz
: complete or partial loss of function especially when involving motion or sensation in a part of the body
Medical Definition
paralysis
noun
pa·ral·y·sis
pə-ˈral-ə-səs
plural paralyses
-ˌsēz
: complete or partial loss of function especially when involving the power of motion or of sensation in any part of the body see hemiplegia, paraplegia, paresis sense 1
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