paralytic

1 of 2

adjective

par·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌper-ə-ˈli-tik 

ˌpa-rə-

1

: affected with, characterized by, or causing paralysis

2

: of, relating to, or resembling paralysis

paralytically

ˌper-ə-ˈli-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌpa-rə-

adverb

paralytic

2 of 2

noun

: one affected with paralysis

Synonyms of paralytic

Adjective

• paralyzed
• disabled

Examples of paralytic in a Sentence

Adjective

a group of paralytic drunks

at first, he would not accept that he was now paralytic and needed help

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The protocol involved an administration of an anesthetic, sodium thiopental, followed by pancuronium bromide, a paralytic agent, and finally by potassium chloride to stop the heart, all in much higher doses than they’re typically used. — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Asbille plays a grieving woman injected with a paralytic drug who must then run, hide and fight her would-be killer before her body shuts down. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

The second drug is a paralytic that freezes the body from the outside in, creating the effect that the person is peacefully asleep. — Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

All Florida executions are carried out by lethal injection of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English paralytyk, from Anglo-French paralitik, from Latin paralyticus, from Greek paralytikos, from paralyein

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paralytic

• analytic
• anxiolytic
• astrocytic
• austenitic
• catalytic
• cytolytic
• dioritic
• diphtheritic
• dolomitic
• endophytic
• epiphytic
• glauconitic

Kids Definition

paralytic

1 of 2 adjective

par·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌpar-ə-ˈlit-ik 

1

: affected with, marked by, or causing paralysis

2

: of, relating to, or resembling paralysis

paralytic

2 of 2 noun

: one affected with paralysis

Medical Definition

paralytic

1 of 2 adjective

par·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌpar-ə-ˈlit-ik 

1

: affected with or characterized by paralysis

2

: of, relating to, causing, or resembling paralysis

paralytic

2 of 2 noun

: one affected with paralysis