Word
paralyze
Phoneticspar·a·lyze, stress on the first syllable
/ˈpɛɹəˌɫaɪz/
UK spelling · paralyse
Definition
v. to make a person or part of the body unable to move. You also use it when fear or a big problem stops all movement or action.
v. to cause loss of voluntary movement in a person or body part, usually through nerve or spinal injury. Extended to systems, processes, or people made unable to act or progress.
Examples
“Fear can paralyze people before an important exam.”
“The accident paralyzed his legs, so he now uses a wheelchair to move around.”
“After the cyberattack paralyzed the city's transport network, officials worked through the night to restore services.”
Examples
simple
“Fear can paralyze people before an important exam.”
contextual
“The accident paralyzed his legs, so he now uses a wheelchair to move around.”
complex
“After the cyberattack paralyzed the city's transport network, officials worked through the night to restore services.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “paralyze” in context.
Verb
01. fear paralyzes
“Fear paralyzes many candidates during job interviews.”
noun + verb
02. paralyze body
“The venom can quickly paralyze the body of its victim.”
verb + noun
03. paralyze city
“The general strike paralyzed the city for three days.”
verb + noun
04. paralyze economy
“Sanctions threatened to paralyze the national economy.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. completely paralyze
“The accident completely paralyzed him from the waist down.”
adv + verb
06. effectively paralyze
“The blizzard effectively paralyzed the whole region overnight.”
adv + verb
Noun
07. paralyze from waist
“He was paralyzed from the waist down after the fall.”
verb + prep + noun
08. be paralyzed from waist down
“After the crash, he was paralyzed from the waist down.”
09. be paralyzed with fear
“She was paralyzed with fear and could not call for help.”
10. completely paralyze the city
“The snowstorm completely paralyzed the city for two days.”
11. leave someone paralyzed for life
“The spinal injury left the driver paralyzed for life.”
12. paralyze the transport network
“The walkout paralyzed the transport network across the capital.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“Some paralyzing injuries completely sever the spinal cord, but more often, damaged connections between the brain and the lower body remain.” “My neck was fractured, I was paralyzed from the shoulders down, and within moments, I realized that my life as I knew it was likely over.” “The recently published study served as a "proof-of-concept" showcasing how brain-computer technology, which translates thoughts into movement, enabled Fritz to become the first individual paralyzed from the waist down due to a spinal cord injury to walk without robotic assistance.” “Researchers announced on Tuesday that four men, each paralyzed from the chest down for over two years and previously informed their condition was irreversible, have the ability voluntarily move legs and—though they cannot walk—following the implantation of an electrical device in their spines.” Etymology
Partly a borrowing from French. Probably partly either (i) formed within English, by derivation. Or partly (ii) a borrowing from French, combined with an English element. Etymons: Middle English paralysie, -ize suffix; French paralyser.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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