paralysis
noun
pa·ral·y·sis
pə-ˈra-lə-səs 
plural paralyses
pə-ˈra-lə-ˌsēz
1
: complete or partial loss of function especially when involving the motion or sensation in a part of the body
2
: loss of the ability to move
3
: a state of powerlessness or incapacity to act
Examples of paralysis in a Sentence
The disease causes a paralysis of the legs.
The whole country is in a state of paralysis.
They are trying to end the political paralysis that has been gripping the country.
Recent Examples on the Web
One is a neurotoxic cocktail that can cause paralysis, and the other is a hemotoxic blend that destroys tissue and blood vessels.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Researchers have developed a new method for intercepting neural signals from the brain of a person with paralysis and translating them into audible speech—all in near real-time.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2025
Institutions anonymize and repeat; mental illnesses, and the medications that treat them, frequently grind their subjects down into a state of paralysis.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
Great Leaders Train Themselves to Tolerate Uncertainty Decision paralysis is common, given that 32% of business leaders admit feeling frozen by uncertainty and 42% have postponed decisions because the process feels uncomfortable.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Researchers have developed a new method for intercepting neural signals from the brain of a person with paralysis and translating them into audible speech—all in near real-time.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2025
Institutions anonymize and repeat; mental illnesses, and the medications that treat them, frequently grind their subjects down into a state of paralysis.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
Great Leaders Train Themselves to Tolerate Uncertainty Decision paralysis is common, given that 32% of business leaders admit feeling frozen by uncertainty and 42% have postponed decisions because the process feels uncomfortable.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Cite this Entry
“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paralysis. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paralysis
noun
pa·ral·y·sis
pə-ˈral-ə-səs
plural paralyses
-ə-ˌsēz
: complete or partial loss of function especially when involving motion or sensation in a part of the body
Medical Definition
paralysis
noun
pa·ral·y·sis
pə-ˈral-ə-səs
plural paralyses
-ˌsēz
: complete or partial loss of function especially when involving the power of motion or of sensation in any part of the body see hemiplegia, paraplegia, paresis sense 1
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