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
She was hospitalized for two weeks because of pain, vomiting and gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis.
—
Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
And a study from the fall of 2023 also linked GLP-1 drugs to severe GI side effects, including pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and gastroparesis (stomach paralysis).
—Kristen Fischer, Health, 15 Mar. 2024
One of the keys to resilience in the workplace is reorienting the experience of making mistakes as learning opportunities rather than paralysis triggers.
—Frayda Leibtag, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
In Gaza, where medical emergencies pour into the hospital in a relentless flood, even if paralysis or death loomed, Salma was stable.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024
Neuralink's goal with its human trials is to eventually enable a person with paralysis to use a computer or phone with their brain activity alone.
—Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
But again, Ukrainian frustration with American congressional paralysis is at play.
—Thomas Gibbons-Neff, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Justin struggled with addiction as a teenager, battled Lyme disease in 2020 and was diagnosed in 2020 with facial paralysis due to Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a neurological disorder.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024
Eight Democratic members of the U.S. Senate issued a statement outlining their worries about the ongoing political paralysis.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2024
Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
And a study from the fall of 2023 also linked GLP-1 drugs to severe GI side effects, including pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and gastroparesis (stomach paralysis).
—Kristen Fischer, Health, 15 Mar. 2024
One of the keys to resilience in the workplace is reorienting the experience of making mistakes as learning opportunities rather than paralysis triggers.
—Frayda Leibtag, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
In Gaza, where medical emergencies pour into the hospital in a relentless flood, even if paralysis or death loomed, Salma was stable.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024
Neuralink's goal with its human trials is to eventually enable a person with paralysis to use a computer or phone with their brain activity alone.
—Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
But again, Ukrainian frustration with American congressional paralysis is at play.
—Thomas Gibbons-Neff, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Justin struggled with addiction as a teenager, battled Lyme disease in 2020 and was diagnosed in 2020 with facial paralysis due to Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a neurological disorder.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024
Eight Democratic members of the U.S. Senate issued a statement outlining their worries about the ongoing political paralysis.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paralysis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near paralysis
Cite this Entry
“Paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paralysis. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
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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