# paralyze

/ˈpɛɹəˌɫaɪz/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/paralyze
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.