IMMOBILIZE Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

immobilize

verb

i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz

Definition of immobilize

as in to paralyze

to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move town councils felt immobilized by the powers newly granted to the state legislation

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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.

Recent Examples of immobilize That, combined with a nearly immobilizing back injury and a relationship turned toxic, left me feeling panicked. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026 Bathed in the glow of a virtual reality that evolves, unassisted, so rapidly, we are increasingly immobilized. — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026 In other words, failure of our major institutions need not leave the public powerless and immobilized. — Anandita Sabherwal, Time, 3 Aug. 2026 When knees, ankles and other joints with muscles around them are immobilized, those muscles can atrophy. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for immobilize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for immobilize

Verb

Verity follows Lowen Ashleigh (played by Dakota Johnson), a struggling writer hired to finish the bestselling book series of renowned author Verity Crawford after an accident leaves her incapacitated.

— Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Smit Machchhar with the cockpit's crash axe, incapacitating him and causing the aircraft to plummet before passengers on board seized control of the plane.

— Michael Sinkewicz , Elizabeth Pritchett, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of incapacitate

Verb

Block that passage, the thinking went, and China’s economy would be crippled.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
In the days after the ceasefire broke down, the Houthis announced a blockade on Saudi shipping, and launched attacks crippling Saudi Arabia’s oil export infrastructure.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of cripple

Verb

Fox News Digital asked Martin whether that level of support undermined Ireland's neutrality.

— Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Brazil’s attorney general last week accused the US of undermining Brazilian democracy — a central theme for incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who holds a razor-thin polling lead over Flávio Bolsonaro.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of undermine

Browse Nearby Words

immobility

immobilize

immobilized

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“Immobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immobilize. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of immobilize

verb

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