paralyze
Freeze all movement
To paralyze is to cause loss of muscle function, typically through nerve damage or disease: The accident paralyzed him from the waist down.
The word extends to any inability to move or act: Fear paralyzed her.
Systems and processes can be paralyzed—a strike paralyzes transportation, indecision paralyzes an organization.
Also spelled paralyse in British English.
Limit freedom of movement
trap · disable · incapacitate · cripple · immobilize · tranquilize · sedate · taser
Complete mutual obstruction
- shutdownCessation of operations
- standstillTotal cessation of movement
- stalemateMutual obstruction preventing progress
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
logjam · deadlock · impasse · freeze · halt · cripple · dysfunction · breakdown
Paralysis below the neck
- paraplegiaLower body immobility
- hemiplegiaOne-sided bodily paralysis
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- neuropathyDamage to peripheral nerves
ALS · polio · numbness · tingling · wheelchair · rehabilitation · neurology · spasticity
Lacking strength or authority
- helplessUnable to act independently
- immobilizedMade unable to move
- trappedUnable to escape
- stuckUnable to move
frozen · incapacitated · overwhelmed · defeated · hopeless · impotent · defenseless · vulnerable
Extreme, overwhelming fear
Shocked into speechlessness
- dumbfoundedRendered speechless by surprise
- stupefiedOverwhelmed into mental blankness
- flabbergastedOverwhelmed with amazement
- thunderstruckExtremely shocked or amazed
gobsmacked · speechless · floored · blindsided · staggered · dazed · reeling · shell-shocked
restrain
Limit freedom of movement
pin · trap · disable · incapacitate · cripple · immobilize · tranquilize · sedate · taser · hold
gridlock
Complete mutual obstruction
- shutdownCessation of operations
- standstillTotal cessation of movement
- stalemateMutual obstruction preventing progress
bottleneck · logjam · deadlock · impasse · freeze · halt · cripple · dysfunction · breakdown · disruption
quadriplegia
Paralysis below the neck
- paraplegiaLower body immobility
- hemiplegiaOne-sided bodily paralysis
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
neuropathy · ALS · polio · numbness · tingling · wheelchair · rehabilitation · neurology · spasticity · paresis
powerless
Lacking strength or authority
- helplessUnable to act independently
- immobilizedMade unable to move
- trappedUnable to escape
stuck · frozen · incapacitated · overwhelmed · defeated · hopeless · impotent · defenseless · vulnerable · stymied
terror
Extreme, overwhelming fear
stunned
Shocked into speechlessness
- dumbfoundedRendered speechless by surprise
- stupefiedOverwhelmed into mental blankness
- flabbergastedOverwhelmed with amazement
thunderstruck · gobsmacked · speechless · floored · blindsided · staggered · dazed · reeling · shell-shocked · jaw-dropping
paralyzemobilize
Organize for action
restore · heal · rehabilitate · revive · regenerate
- analysis paralysisInaction from excessive deliberation
- sleep paralysisTemporary waking immobility
- paralysis by analysisInaction from excessive deliberation
- partial paralysisImpaired but present movement
- facial paralysisLoss of face movement
- total paralysis
paralyzed, paralysis, paralyzing, paralytic, paralyzes, paralyse, paralyses, paralysed, paralysing