PARALYZE Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

paralyze

verb

ˈper-ə-ˌlīz

Definition of paralyze

as in to cripple

to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move a blizzard paralyzed the city for two days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to intimidate

to deprive of courage or confidence the school board is paralyzed by the threat of lawsuits for just about everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 paralyze That summer, Detroit was paralyzed by a violent uprising, which erupted after the city’s predominantly white police force raided a night club in a Black neighborhood. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026 Of course, Poke Ichii has some prefab choices if you’re paralyzed by the excess of options, and there are some sides to choose from, including Spam musubi, takoyaki and mochi ice cream for dessert. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Coronel Suarez was one of several SAP gang members who have pleaded guilty to shootings that targeted rivals and gang dropouts, and left victims dead or paralyzed. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 Being paralyzed by having your power taken away from a really young age. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paralyze

Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze

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

The Basij boosted its presence during the war, and hard-liners have held nightly rallies in Tehran and other cities, drumming up support and intimidating any possible dissenters.

— Lee Keath, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Civil rights organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union accused the department of attempting to intimidate the public by arming agents with another use-of-force option.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of intimidate

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

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

Verb

Looking back on taking over a character so closely associated with Parton, Hilty once admitted that the prospect of playing Doralee with Parton watching initially terrified her.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Jaylen Edgar, the teenager tried for the 2024 Halloween mass shooting in downtown Orlando that killed two, injured several others and terrified thousands, was found guilty of all charges Monday.

— Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrify

Verb

Even if Korea can maintain 2% economic growth over the next two decades, consumption growth gradually weakens and eventually turns negative, according to Goldman’s long-term modeling.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Riggs said the Teamsters’ safety argument is weakened by the inconsistent safety record of human truck drivers, who have fallen asleep at the wheel or driven while distracted or otherwise impaired.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

Fly fishing taught me that forcing the outcome usually scares it away.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
The European Union’s top diplomat said Russia’s army is struggling to make progress on the front line and wants to scare off Ukraine’s Western backers with its air campaign.

— Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of scare

Browse Nearby Words

paralytic

paralyze

paralyzed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of paralyze

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes