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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Example Sentences

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 That, combined with a nearly immobilizing back injury and a relationship turned toxic, left me feeling panicked. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026 Bathed in the glow of a virtual reality that evolves, unassisted, so rapidly, we are increasingly immobilized. — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026 In other words, failure of our major institutions need not leave the public powerless and immobilized. — Anandita Sabherwal, Time, 3 Aug. 2026 When knees, ankles and other joints with muscles around them are immobilized, those muscles can atrophy. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for immobilize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for immobilize

Verb

According to the suit, Jane Doe was beset by seven men while she was incapacitated by drugs and alcohol.

— Anahid Nersessian, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Prosecutors allege Freire raped one of the women while she was incapacitated, took photographs of the unconscious roommates and shared the images with others.

— Alice Gainer, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of incapacitate

Verb

Iran appears to be targeting commercial vessels conducting oil transfers to try to undermine vessels' ability to move energy through the strait, the Institute for the Study of War said Tuesday.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
Despite the tension, Humphries rejected the suggestion that the issue would have undermined the chemistry behind her Olympic gold medals.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of undermine

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immobility

immobilize

immobilized

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“Immobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immobilize. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of immobilize

verb

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