as in disability
complete or partial loss of physical function (as motion or sensation) in a part of the body the car accident left one athlete with paralysis from the waist down

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of paralysis The impact on daily life Being able to communicate in real-time, with one's own voice and personality, is a game-changer for people living with paralysis. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025 Precision's other co-founder and CEO, Michael Mager, says the company's short-term goal is a wireless device that allows a person with paralysis to operate a smartphone or computer. Jon Hamilton, NPR, 30 June 2025 This virus most frequently causes asymptomatic infections, but symptomatic infections can have quite severe symptoms, including paralysis of one or more limbs or even of the muscles involved in breathing. Jen Christiansen, Scientific American, 25 June 2025 Another barrier is analysis paralysis, where the sheer number of AI tools and options creates confusion about how to start or how to invest resources effectively. Umair Javed, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for paralysis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paralysis
Noun
  • The same rule applies for students with disabilities that use assistive technology, so long as there is an agreement in place between the school and the child's parent or guardian.
    Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 24 July 2025
  • Clubs must provide reasonable adjustments for fans who, through disability, are unable to use digital ticketing, meaning a small subset of supporters will still use physical or e-tickets, but many face the hurdle of an application process.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • Technically known as myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), the condition is marked by debilitating fatigue that doesn't go away with rest; cognitive impairment such as brain fog and difficulty focusing; sleep disturbances; and pain.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 July 2025
  • On the heels of former President Joe Biden dropping out of his 2024 reelection bid after public displays of cognitive impairment, some Democrats said Evers' age could be used against him in a race.
    Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • The Emmy-winning composer died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles following an eight-year battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Clausen’s daughter told the Hollywood Reporter.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 31 May 2025
  • For example, in the hand tendon-transfer surgery for high median-ulnar palsy, one muscle is sutured to all four finger flexor tendons.
    Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2018
Noun
  • Angela, a choir director and family history consultant for her local church, was first hospitalized on March 6 complaining of dizziness and weakness.
    Christine Pelisek, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • The weakness could be due to the new 30% tariffs that President Donald Trump threatened against the European Union and Mexico over the weekend.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paralysis. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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