PARALYZE Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

paralyze

verb

ˈper-ə-ˌlīz

Definition of paralyze

as in to cripple

to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move a blizzard paralyzed the city for two days

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to intimidate

to deprive of courage or confidence the school board is paralyzed by the threat of lawsuits for just about everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralyze

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

The young actor can pull off the swagger and charisma required of a teenage Haymitch, but he was intimidated by the idea of taking on the character’s accent.

— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
Those who use technology to harass, intimidate or torment others should understand that attempts to anonymize their criminal conduct will not shield them from prosecution.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimidate

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

But the more productive expansion has to do with character, especially as regards Carrie and her mother, who is not the deranged, abusive religious fanatic of previous versions, but an essentially loving parent frightened of the modern world.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
The stranger’s hollow cheeks, his dark eyes, whose lashes always appeared wet, the bony shoulders that protruded from the singlet Chee Meng had lent him—all of it frightened Shawn.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of frighten

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

Verb

Once Isaias comes ashore, it is expected to weaken until it is downgraded to a tropical storm by Saturday afternoon, the hurricane center said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Last but certainly not least, there’s the focus on communicating local relevancy as a differentiator without weakening brand equity and DNA.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

There are a few other helpful features, such as two-way talk to speak with visitors on the other side of your door, as well as a siren that can scare away any unwanted parties.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
More than anything, this adaptation feels scared of being too unlikable or scaring anyone too much.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of scare

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.

Browse Nearby Words

paralytic

paralyze

paralyzed

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

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Synonyms of paralyze

verb

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