as in to paralyze
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
town councils felt immobilized by the powers newly granted to the state legislation
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Recent Examples of immobilize
But then, only feet away from the cliff, the helicopter stopped sliding, immobilized by a white wall of snow that had mythically, magically, and wonderfully piled up underneath it.
—
Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 May 2025
In the wake of her passing, I was immobilized by grief.
—Carissa Talmage, People.com, 2 May 2025
The viscous substance coats the attacker, immobilizing or fatally compromising them by clogging joints, mouthparts and spiracles.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
An After-Mating Meal All octopuses are venomous, with the majority of these cephalopods using their venom to fend off their predators or to immobilize their prey.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for immobilize
Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 May 2025
In the wake of her passing, I was immobilized by grief.
—Carissa Talmage, People.com, 2 May 2025
The viscous substance coats the attacker, immobilizing or fatally compromising them by clogging joints, mouthparts and spiracles.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
An After-Mating Meal All octopuses are venomous, with the majority of these cephalopods using their venom to fend off their predators or to immobilize their prey.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for immobilize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immobilize
Verb
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Inflammation from these conditions can paralyze the colon, causing symptoms like bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.—
Janelle McSwiggin,
Health,
6 June 2025
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Fear of the unknown, driven by economic instability and geopolitical shifts, can paralyze teams.—
David Meade,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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To pry the babies away from their mothers, poachers often kill or incapacitate the mothers and their troops, prosecutors said in the release.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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Thousands more were injured or incapacitated by the cold weather.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Verb
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But their deadly design may undermine human health, too.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
5 June 2025
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But years of storms have undermined the existing Southernmost Plaza where the marker sits.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Immobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immobilize. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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