paralyzed

adjective

par·​a·​lyzed ˈper-ə-ˌlīzd How to pronounce paralyzed (audio)
ˈpa-rə-
1
: affected with paralysis
If the right hemisphere of the brain is badly damaged in its sensory (parietal) areas, patients may show … an unawareness that anything is the matter, even though the left side of their body is senseless or paralyzed.Oliver Sacks
Thousands of paralyzed people worldwide are in the socially closed-off state.Christen Brownlee
2
: rendered incapable of movement or action
I was not found by the teacher until what seemed to me hours later but was probably five minutes, paralyzed with fright.Kay Boyle
Those who uncover plagiarism become paralyzed with embarrassment, letting the culprit escape rather than confronting him.Walter Kendrick

Examples of paralyzed in a Sentence

special ramps for paralyzed people in wheelchairs a seemingly paralyzed mayor sat by as the city's crime rate soared
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Two people have been convicted on conspiracy and murder charges for their role in a triple shooting in Hartford in 2021 that left one man dead, another paralyzed and a third victim injured. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2025 It's used for amputees, paralyzed drivers and those suffering from hip displacement issues. Swish Goswami, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson) is offered the opportunity of a lifetime when Jeremy Crawford (Josh Hartnett), the husband of paralyzed novelist Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway), invites her to finish Verity’s series of novels. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 10 Mar. 2025 Common themes include falling into space, losing teeth, feeling paralyzed in a threatening situation, enduring a natural disaster, or being ripped off or cheated on. Stacey Colino, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for paralyzed

Word History

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of paralyzed was in 1763

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Cite this Entry

“Paralyzed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paralyzed. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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