immobilize
verb
im·mo·bi·lize
i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz 
immobilized; immobilizing; immobilizes
: to make immobile: such as
a
: to reduce or eliminate motion of (the body or a part) by mechanical means or by strict bed rest
b
: to prevent freedom of movement or effective use of
the planes were immobilized by bad weather
c
: to withhold (money or capital) from circulation
Synonyms
Examples of immobilize in a Sentence
Doctors immobilized her wrist by putting it in a cast.
I was immobilized by fear.
Recent Examples on the Web
Europe holds the majority of the frozen Russian assets that were immobilized in 2022 ($260 billion out of approximately $300 billion).
—
Alina Polyakova, Foreign Affairs, 31 Dec. 2024
Eventually, the medical staff placed Badie on a stretcher and immobilized him.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2024
That rough rollout inspired immediate push-back and criticism from activists, some of which attached traffic cones to the hoods of cars to fool Cruise sensors and immobilize them.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 11 Dec. 2024
The drone exploded among the passengers, immobilizing the van.
—David Axe, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for immobilize 
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Alina Polyakova, Foreign Affairs, 31 Dec. 2024
Eventually, the medical staff placed Badie on a stretcher and immobilized him.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2024
That rough rollout inspired immediate push-back and criticism from activists, some of which attached traffic cones to the hoods of cars to fool Cruise sensors and immobilize them.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 11 Dec. 2024
The drone exploded among the passengers, immobilizing the van.
—David Axe, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for immobilize
Dictionary Entries Near immobilize
Cite this Entry
“Immobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immobilize. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
immobilize
verb
im·mo·bi·lize
im-ˈō-bə-ˌlīz
immobilized; immobilizing
: to fix in place : make immobile
Medical Definition
immobilize
transitive verb
im·mo·bi·lize
variants
also British immobilise
immobilized also British immobilised; immobilizing also British immobilising
: to make immobile
especially
: to fix (as a body part) so as to reduce or eliminate motion usually by means of a cast or splint, by strapping, or by strict bed rest
immobilizing a fractured bone by a cast and continuous traction
immobilize an injury
immobilize all patients with a suspected neck or spine injury
Legal Definition
immobilize
transitive verb
im·mo·bi·lize
i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz
immobilized; immobilizing
: to make immobile
specifically
: to turn (movable property) into immovable property (as by incorporating it into a building)
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