Word
paralysis
Phoneticsparal·y·sis
US/pɝˈæɫəsəs/
UK/pəɹˈæləsˌɪs/
Definitions
01medical condition
n. the loss of the ability to move some or all of your body, often caused by illness or injury.
n. the complete loss of voluntary muscle function in one or more parts of the body, typically resulting from nervous system damage.
“After the accident, he suffered from permanent paralysis in his legs.”
“The patient exhibited signs of temporary paralysis following the spinal procedure, though doctors expected a full recovery within weeks.”
Technical
Usage
Often used with 'of' to specify the body part, such as 'paralysis of the lower limbs'.
Synonyms
02unable to act
n. a state where you are unable to make a decision or take action because of fear or confusion.
n. a state of powerlessness or inability to act, often resulting from indecision, fear, or overwhelming complexity.
“The government was in a state of paralysis and could not pass any new laws.”
“Analysis paralysis occurs when an individual becomes so overwhelmed by options that they are unable to reach a final decision.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the phrase 'analysis paralysis' or 'political paralysis'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“He was unable to escape when the earthquake struck because he suffered from paralysis on the right side of his body.” “The audience that allowed them to monetize their creations in the first place had now led to creative paralysis.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin paralysis, from Ancient Greek παράλυσις (parálusis, “palsy”), from παραλύω (paralúō, “to disable on one side”). By surface analysis, para- + -lysis. Doublet of palsy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.