as in disability
complete or partial loss of physical function (as motion or sensation) in a part of the body
the car accident left one athlete with paralysis from the waist down
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralysis
The first doesn’t have an element while the latter two have poison-paralysis and water, respectively.
—
Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
The country is already suffering from a severe economic crisis and only recently came out of a prolonged period of political paralysis, during which Hezbollah blocked successive attempts to install a president.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Polio can attack the nervous system and can lead to irreversible paralysis and occasionally death due to respiratory failure.
—Alexis Wilkinson, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
But information overload, resulting in paralysis by analysis in the batter’s box, is a real concern.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
The country is already suffering from a severe economic crisis and only recently came out of a prolonged period of political paralysis, during which Hezbollah blocked successive attempts to install a president.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Polio can attack the nervous system and can lead to irreversible paralysis and occasionally death due to respiratory failure.
—Alexis Wilkinson, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
But information overload, resulting in paralysis by analysis in the batter’s box, is a real concern.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralysis
Noun
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Beneficiaries are people with limited income who are either blind, aged 65 and older, or have a qualifying disability.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
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Located on 158 scenic acres along the shores of Lake Eliza in Valparaiso, Camp Lakeside is an inclusive summer day camp where school-aged children with disabilities and their neurotypical peers come together for eight weeks of adventure in a safe, structured space.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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One of her top tips for parents of children who have hearing impairments or noise sensitivities is to invest in energy-efficient appliances.—
Tessa Cooper,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
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Several people were hospitalized after a car slammed into the rear of another vehicle in front of the Aura nightclub in Kansas City’s midtown, and police suspect impairment was a factor, a police spokeswoman said.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Jackson died in February at the age of 84 following a battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a condition similar to Parkinson's disease.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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His health had been in decline for years due to progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disorder.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That's a break from the typical relationship that has tied elevated energy costs to market weakness since the Iran war broke out.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
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In another post, Newsom said dyslexia isn't a weakness, but a strength.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralysis. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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