IMMOBILIZE Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

immobilize

verb

i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz

Definition of immobilize

as in to paralyze

to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move town councils felt immobilized by the powers newly granted to the state legislation

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of immobilize When knees, ankles and other joints with muscles around them are immobilized, those muscles can atrophy. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 July 2026 Then, video shows the moment two officers attempted to immobilize Ruiz with what appear to be Tasers. — Chris Looft, ABC News, 24 July 2026 The bill would also require rules governing use of tire-deflation devices to immobilize street takeover cars without causing tire blowouts. — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026 Increasingly immobilized by zero-sum politics, the federal government remains powerful in theory but is losing much of its capacity to solve many of the nation’s most pressing problems. — John Eger, Mercury News, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for immobilize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for immobilize

Verb

Clancy jumped out of a window after strangling the children to death and was paralyzed in the fall.

— Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
Clancy is now partially paralyzed due to her suicide attempt and is being held at Tewksbury hospital.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of paralyze

Verb

First, the knife had to be able penetrate deep into its target, even through heavy winter clothing, to deliver a blow that would quickly incapacitate.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
All that before disorienting and incapacitating a potential school shooter in about a minute.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of incapacitate

Verb

The administration did cripple Iran's nuclear program in 2025 with bombing strikes on various facilities, but since this war began, there's been no effective action taken against its nuclear program.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Shortages of Patriot air defenses leave Ukraine vulnerable as Russia repeatedly builds missile stockpiles, targets energy and private businesses, and seeks to cripple the economy ahead of winter.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of cripple

Verb

Western officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of conducting a campaign of sabotage and disruption in their countries with the aim of undermining support for Ukraine and destabilizing European nations, something Russia denies.

— Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Western officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of running a campaign of sabotage and disruption in their countries with the aim of undermining support for Ukraine and destabilizing European nations, something Russian officials deny.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of undermine

Browse Nearby Words

immobility

immobilize

immobilized

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“Immobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immobilize. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of immobilize

verb

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