# paralyzed

/ˈpɛɹəˌɫaɪzd/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/paralyzed
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. unable to move the body

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- After the car accident, he was paralyzed from the waist down.
- The patient remained paralyzed despite several surgeries, requiring long-term physical therapy to adapt to his new mobility constraints.

### 2. unable to act or decide

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- She stood paralyzed with fear as the large dog ran toward her.
- The board of directors seemed paralyzed by the sudden market crash, failing to issue a statement for several days.

## Examples

- He was paralyzed with fear when he saw the snake.
- The accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, requiring him to use a wheelchair for mobility.
- The government was paralyzed by internal disagreements, preventing any meaningful legislation from being passed during the height of the economic crisis.

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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.