1
as in to cripple
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
a blizzard paralyzed the city for two days
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to intimidate
to deprive of courage or confidence
the school board is paralyzed by the threat of lawsuits for just about everything
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paralyze
The trio opened fire on a pair of rival dealers in August 1996, paralyzing one of them, and four months later, Ennis and his brother stabbed two more dealers who dared cross into Dog Pound territory, court documents show.
—
Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
Still, speed means nothing if your team is paralyzed by process.
—Georges Berberi, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
In travel as well as business, too much data can paralyze decision-making.
—Jj Rosen, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Trump deserves credit for ignoring the voices in Washington who counsel inaction out of an understandable but often paralyzing fear of unintended consequences.
—The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
Still, speed means nothing if your team is paralyzed by process.
—Georges Berberi, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
In travel as well as business, too much data can paralyze decision-making.
—Jj Rosen, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Trump deserves credit for ignoring the voices in Washington who counsel inaction out of an understandable but often paralyzing fear of unintended consequences.
—The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralyze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Verb
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But moving from being a casual fan into understanding the intricacies of tennis can be intimidating.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Although new gardeners often find coming up with a design intimidating, there are existing templates to work from.—
Special to The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
8 July 2025
Verb
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This decrease signifies a substantial revenue gap that could have incapacitated many companies.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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Near the Bering Strait, the crew spotted the Brunswick, incapacitated after striking ice and surrounded by other whalers preparing to buy off its goods.—
Francine Uenuma,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 June 2025
Verb
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But their return has also angered and frightened livestock farmers and others in rural communities who are having to learn to live alongside these once nearly-extinct creatures.—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
9 July 2025
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But on Friday night, the booms and blasts of celebratory fireworks appear to have frightened them away.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Media implies entertainment and undermines the responsibility that journalists are supposed to have to report the truth and hold those in power accountable.—
HG Biggs,
IndyStar,
11 July 2025
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And then the leftist media, which is looking to completely undermine our culture and our civilization, and knows that these things turn social norms on their head, pick up these concepts and promote them.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Paired with the gray-ish green color palette, sparse decor, and dark atmospherics in the Institute itself, the bleak vibes may be enough to turn some viewers off for good, especially those horror purists who tune in hoping to be terrified rather than just bummed out.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 July 2025
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In a city where so many big plans have gone so badly for 30 years, San Diego residents shouldn’t just be wary when another bold proposal comes long — they should be terrified.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is 86 years-old and his political power is weakened following the short war with Israel.—
Jackie Northam,
NPR,
9 July 2025
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The June jobs report showed strong headline numbers, but the underlying data pointed to a weakening labor market.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
Verb
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The combination of a floodlight and a camera is a great way to scare off intruders and get better quality footage at night.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
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Simply pull the pin, and the device will emit a blaring siren sound in combination with a strobe light that will draw attention to your situation and scare away would-be threats.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paralyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralyze. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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