paralyze
1 synonym and 3 antonyms for paralyze, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To cause loss of movement or feeling in part of the body.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To cause loss of movement or feeling in part of the body.
“The venom can paralyze small prey within seconds.”
2. verb
To make something unable to function or act normally.
“The strike paralyzed the entire transport network.”
Opposites
How to use paralyze
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
paralyzed with fear
paralyze the economy
Etymology
From French paralyser, ultimately from the same Greek root as "paralysis."
Full origin of paralyze →Frequently asked questions
What does “paralyze” mean?
The word “paralyze” means to cause loss of movement or feeling in part of the body. In plain terms, to make unable to move or function, physically or figuratively.
How do you pronounce “paralyze”?
“Paralyze” is pronounced PA-ruh-lyz (/ˈpæɹəˌlaɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “paralyze” in a sentence?
Here is “paralyze” used in a sentence: “The venom can paralyze small prey within seconds.”
What part of speech is “paralyze”?
“Paralyze” is a verb.
Where does the word “paralyze” come from?
The word “paralyze” comes from French. From French paralyser, ultimately from the same Greek root as "paralysis.".
How many meanings does “paralyze” have?
“Paralyze” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cause loss of movement or feeling in part of the body.
