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Meaning & use

paralyzing

adjective, verb·Everyday

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UK/ˈpær.əl.aɪ.zɪŋ/
US/ˈper.əl.aɪ.zɪŋ/

“paralyzing” is a form of “paralyze”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. adjectivebefore a noun

    So shocking or frightening that you cannot move or think clearly.

    Grammar: Used before a noun: paralyzing fear, a paralyzing thought. You can also say 'It was paralyzing.'

    Patterns

    • paralyzing fear
    • a paralyzing thought
    • paralyzing to someone

    She felt paralyzing fear as the plane shook.

    The news was paralyzing, and he sat without speaking for an hour.

    For a shy student, standing in front of the class is a paralyzing experience.

  2. adjectivebefore a nounmedical

    Causing a person or animal to lose the ability to move part or all of the body.

    Grammar: Used before a noun in medical or news contexts: a paralyzing injury, a paralyzing disease.

    Patterns

    • a paralyzing injury
    • a paralyzing condition
    • paralyzing effects

    The snake's bite has a paralyzing effect on small animals.

    A paralyzing illness left him unable to walk without help.

    Doctors studied the paralyzing condition for many years.

  3. verbtransitive

    Present participle of paralyze: making someone unable to move or act.

    Grammar: The -ing form of the verb; it needs an object: 'The fear was paralyzing him.'

    Patterns

    • be paralyzing someone
    • paralyzing the city

    The strike is paralyzing the city's transport system.

    Fear was paralyzing her, so she could not speak.

Common combinations

paralyzing fear
Paralyzing fear kept her from opening the letter.
a paralyzing effect
The medicine had a paralyzing effect on his muscles.
absolutely paralyzing
The thought of failing was absolutely paralyzing.

Synonyms and how they differ

crippling
Often describes damage or problems that stop progress; paralyzing is more about fear or the body's movement.
numbing
Means making you feel nothing; paralyzing means you cannot move or act.
overwhelming
Means too strong to deal with; paralyzing adds the idea of being unable to move or decide.

Opposites

energizingenabling

Word family

paralyze verb
To make someone unable to move or act.
paralysis noun
The condition of being unable to move.
paralyzed adjective
Unable to move part or all of the body.

Commonly confused: paralyzing or paralyzed?

paralyzing vs paralyzed

Paralyzed describes the person or thing that cannot move; paralyzing describes the cause: 'paralyzing fear' vs. 'paralyzed with fear'.

Practice

The audience sat in ______ silence after the shocking announcement.

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