English Reference
adjective

paralyzed

adj.
US /ˈpɛɹəˌɫaɪzd/ par·a·lyzed UK spelling paralysed

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    unable to move all or part of your body, usually because of an illness or a serious injury.

    affected by paralysis; physiologically incapable of voluntary movement in specific limbs or the entire body.

    Simple

    After the car accident, he was paralyzed from the waist down.

    In context

    The patient remained paralyzed despite several surgeries, requiring long-term physical therapy to adapt to his new mobility constraints.

    immobilizedincapacitated
    mobileambulatory
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    unable to take action or make a choice because you are very afraid or shocked.

    rendered incapable of action, progress, or decision-making by psychological or external factors.

    Simple

    She stood paralyzed with fear as the large dog ran toward her.

    In context

    The board of directors seemed paralyzed by the sudden market crash, failing to issue a statement for several days.

Clancy, now 36, was paralysed by the jump and has attended the trial in a wheelchair.

BBC News· 18 Aug 2026

One such case was last year's nation-wide internet shutdown which paralysed daily life and was later reversed.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated