paralyze
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to affect with paralysis.
-
to bring to a condition of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act.
The strike paralyzed communications.
Synonym Usage
See shock 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
semiparalyzedadjective
-
paralyzantadjective
-
paralyzernoun
-
paralyzationnoun
-
unparalyzedadjective
-
paralyzinglyadverb
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have paralyzedperfect
-
has paralyzedperfect 3rd person singular
-
has been paralyzingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
am paralyzingprogressive 1st person singular
-
is paralyzingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
paralyzessingular 3rd person
-
paralyzingparticiple
-
have been paralyzingperfect progressive
-
are paralyzingprogressive
Past
-
had paralyzedperfect
-
was paralyzingprogressive singular
-
had been paralyzingperfect progressive
-
paralyzedsimple
-
paralyzedparticiple
-
were paralyzingprogressive plural
Future
Etymology
Origin of paralyze
First recorded in 1795–1805; back formation from paralysis, modeled on analyze
Explanation
Use the verb paralyze to describe something that makes it impossible to move or function, like a snowstorm that threatens to paralyze a city. Accent the first syllable in paralyze: "PA-ruh-lies." Until 1805, the only way to paralyze someone was physically — the word was used to indicate that a person had lost the ability to move their body, often as a result of an accident of illness. More recently, the definition has widened to include figurative uses like being "paralyzed by fear." It doesn't mean you are literally immobilized — just that you are so scared, it feels that way.
Vocabulary lists containing paralyze
Schooled
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Where the Red Fern Grows
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 6
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Lewiatan Confederation, an NGO representing Polish entrepreneurs, argues the move "could paralyze the labour market".
From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026
Carol wants to save humanity, yet her angry outbursts can paralyze the entire planet with pain.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025
“The goal of the law is to inform agency decision-making, not to paralyze it,” Kavanaugh said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2025
It can feel exhausting to think about what can happen in the next four years, and it’s important that we take a minute to acknowledge these emotions, but we cannot let them paralyze us.
From Salon • Nov. 29, 2024
Then she placed her hands, vertically, over her eyes and pressed the heels hard, as though to paralyze the optic nerve and drown all images into a voidlike black.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
