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Definitions

paralysis

[puh-ral-uh-sis] / pəˈræl ə sɪs /
NOUN
depression
Synonyms
STRONG
bankruptcy bust crash crisis deflation dislocation downturn drop failure inactivity inflation overproduction panic recession retrenchment sag slide slowness slump stagflation stagnation unemployment
WEAK
bad times bear market big trouble hard times rainy days
Antonyms
STRONG
calm increase rise success
WEAK
bulge cheerfulness convexity encouragement happiness hope hopefulness protuberance recovery surge
NOUN
inertia
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apathy laziness passivity sluggishness
STRONG
deadness drowsiness dullness idleness immobility immobilization inactivity indolence languor lassitude lethargy listlessness oscitancy sloth stillness stupor torpidity torpor unresponsiveness
Antonyms
STRONG
action busyness liveliness
WEAK
activity animation life moving
NOUN
numbness
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apathy
STRONG
anesthesia dullness insensibility insensitivity stupefaction stupor

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“You can get in paralysis if you start trying to port yourself into somebody else’s thinking,” Cook said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

My vocal cords were mostly moving as they should be, ruling out vocal cord paralysis or other pathologies.

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026

You are also suffering from a very modern malady: decision paralysis.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

ALS, on the other hand, targets motor neurons, causing progressive muscle weakness that eventually leads to paralysis.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

The result was a complete paralysis, only broken when Ricky said his name.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss

Vocabulary lists containing paralysis

Out of the Dust

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National Nurses Week: Medical Branches and Conditions

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"Siberian Survivors" and "Tigers in the Wild"

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