paralyze
verb
par·a·lyze
ˈper-ə-ˌlīz 
ˈpa-rə-
paralyzed; paralyzing
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 WhiteheadExamples 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
Maintaining liquidity, giving them the ability to act immediately when others are paralyzed.
—
Bygabriel Shahin,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
The artisanal-fishing industry had been all but paralyzed by high gas prices since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz; a large number of vessels were anchored close to shore.
—
Will Freeman,
New Yorker,
30 June 2026
Fear, like ignorance, shuts our eyes to and paralyzes our trust in God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and unfailing love for His children, whereas the understanding of God’s ever-present goodness removes the fear that generates suffering.
—
André Kisonga,
Christian Science Monitor,
30 June 2026
The floating electronic device generates electromagnetic fields that temporarily paralyze jellyfish within range by targeting their pulsating locomotion.
—
New Atlas,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
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Bygabriel Shahin,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
The artisanal-fishing industry had been all but paralyzed by high gas prices since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz; a large number of vessels were anchored close to shore.
—
Will Freeman,
New Yorker,
30 June 2026
Fear, like ignorance, shuts our eyes to and paralyzes our trust in God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and unfailing love for His children, whereas the understanding of God’s ever-present goodness removes the fear that generates suffering.
—
André Kisonga,
Christian Science Monitor,
30 June 2026
The floating electronic device generates electromagnetic fields that temporarily paralyze jellyfish within range by targeting their pulsating locomotion.
—
New Atlas,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paralyze. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paralyze
verb
par·a·lyze
ˈpar-ə-ˌlīz
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
paralyzed or British paralysed; paralyzing or British paralysing
: to affect with paralysis
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