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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralysis
Veteran law enforcement leaders are warning that Minneapolis is facing a dangerous breakdown in public order as mob violence, political paralysis and fractured policing collide.
—
Stepheny Price , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The Daily Racing Form reported Mendez, 40, had spinal surgery on Sunday and was feared to have suffered paralysis in his legs.
—Kevin Modesti, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
The pool was installed during the Administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who swam to maintain his strength after his paralysis.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
On a far too frequent basis, Americans have listened to the erratic falsehoods of a pathologically narcissistic president while our Republican leaders in Congress cower in the corners of their offices in a state of self-protective paralysis.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Stepheny Price , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The Daily Racing Form reported Mendez, 40, had spinal surgery on Sunday and was feared to have suffered paralysis in his legs.
—Kevin Modesti, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
The pool was installed during the Administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who swam to maintain his strength after his paralysis.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
On a far too frequent basis, Americans have listened to the erratic falsehoods of a pathologically narcissistic president while our Republican leaders in Congress cower in the corners of their offices in a state of self-protective paralysis.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralysis
Noun
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And the American health care system isn't set up to help people get through it, Mauldin outlines in the book, by way of inaccessible health care, lack of caregiver supports, expensive treatments and an overall de-valuing of sick people and those with disabilities.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
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When people with disabilities live in the community with appropriate supports, the state avoids far more expensive emergency care, institutional placements, and hospital stays.—
Fay Lenz,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Accessibility for those with mobility impairments The staff makes every effort to facilitate requests, from assistance around the hotel to arranging for the hotel’s private chauffeurs to drive you to your destination.—
Kasia Dietz,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
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Participants were from six different geographical areas and did not have any significant prior cognitive impairment.—
Akshay Syal,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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According to John Hopkins Medicine, Bell’s palsy is a sudden paralysis or weakness of the facial muscles, usually on one side of the face.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
4 Jan. 2026
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Jackson, 84, was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in November for progressive supranuclear palsy, or PSP, a neurodegenerative condition.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
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If your goal is to get at the truth, or at least our closest approximation of it at the present time, the way to do that is to be scrupulous and forthright about the strengths and weaknesses of every link in your chain of argument.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
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This can raise resting heart rate, increase weakness and fatigue, and reduce endurance—even during everyday activities, not just exercise.—
Katharine Gammon,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralysis. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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