ENGLISH
REFERENCE

paralyzed

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpɛɹəˌɫaɪzd// par·a·lyzed

adj. unable to move your body or a part of it because of an injury or illness. It can also describe being so scared or shocked that you cannot move or act.

adj. unable to move or feel all or part of the body; also used metaphorically to describe a state of being unable to function or act due to overwhelming emotion or complexity. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'feel', or 'remain'.


SIMPLE

He was paralyzed with fear when he saw the snake.

CONTEXTUAL

The accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, requiring him to use a wheelchair for mobility.

COMPLEX

The government was paralyzed by internal disagreements, preventing any meaningful legislation from being passed during the height of the economic crisis.

Synonyms
Usage

Often follows a linking verb or is paired with 'with' to describe an emotional cause (e.g., 'paralyzed with indecision').

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