paralysis

paralysis — noun

1. the medical condition of losing the power to move some or all of your muscles, o

1.nounB2
Definition

the medical condition of losing the power to move some or all of your muscles, often after a serious illness, an accident, or damage to the nerves.

Example

The doctor warned that the spinal injury might cause permanent paralysis in both legs.

paralysis in [body part]

After the stroke, Mrs. Liu suffered paralysis on the left side of her face.

suffer + paralysis on [body part]

Common collocations
  • permanent paralysis
  • partial paralysis
  • complete paralysis
  • facial paralysis
  • suffer paralysis
Synonyms
  • palsy

    older or medical term, often in fixed names like cerebral palsy

  • immobility

    broader and less clinical; not always caused by nerve damage

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

paralysis of [body part]

suffer + paralysis

Usage Note

Often appears with a body-part complement introduced by 'of' or 'in' (paralysis of the legs, paralysis in her arm). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense always describes physical loss of movement, not an inability to make decisions.

Common Mistakes

He got paralysis with his legs.
He got paralysis in his legs.
use 'in' or 'of' with the affected body part, not 'with'.
She has a paralysis.
She has paralysis.' or 'She has a form of paralysis.
usually uncountable; do not use 'a paralysis' on its own.

2. a situation, often in a government, company, or group, where no progress or deci

2.nounC1
Definition

a situation, often in a government, company, or group, where no progress or decisions can be made because people feel stuck or cannot agree.

Example

Months of arguing between the two parties caused complete paralysis in parliament.

paralysis in [organisation]

Fear of failure left Sofia in a state of paralysis for weeks before the exam.

in a state of paralysis (set phrase)

Common collocations
  • political paralysis
  • economic paralysis
  • decision paralysis
  • complete paralysis
  • lead to paralysis
Synonyms
  • deadlock

    two sides cannot agree, so nothing moves forward

  • stagnation

    long period with no growth or change, often economic

  • inaction

    simple failure to do anything; less dramatic than paralysis

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

paralysis in [system/group]

political/economic paralysis

Usage Note

Frequently modified by adjectives that name the affected domain (political, economic, bureaucratic, emotional). Often used in news writing about governments or large organisations. Distinguish from sense 1: no physical illness is involved, only an inability to act or decide.

Common Mistakes

The company is in paralysis to decide.
The company is paralysed when it comes to deciding.
use the verb 'be paralysed' for the state of an actor; reserve 'paralysis' for the situation as a whole.
There is a paralysis on the new plan.
There is paralysis over the new plan.
use 'over' or 'in' with this figurative sense, not 'on'.

Word family

  • paralyse
    verbB2
  • paralyze
    verbB2
  • paralysed
    adjectiveB2
  • paralytic
    adjectiveC2
  • paralytic
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

These four words all describe a lack of forward movement, but they highlight different causes. 'Paralysis' is the strongest and most dramatic, suggesting that an organisation or person is so stuck by fear, conflict, or confusion that nothing at all happens — for example, 'political paralysis after the election'. 'Deadlock' is narrower: two clear sides cannot agree, so a single decision is blocked, as in 'the talks ended in deadlock'. 'Stagnation' usually describes a long, slow lack of growth or change, especially in the economy or in a career; it does not need any conflict. 'Inaction' is the plainest term: it just means people are not doing anything, often because they are lazy, unsure, or waiting. Use 'paralysis' when the situation feels serious and almost impossible to escape.

paralysis ↗deadlockstagnationinaction

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • suffer from paralysis
  • cause paralysis
  • lead to paralysis
  • recover from paralysis
  • political paralysis
  • decision paralysis
  • analysis paralysis

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

Paralysis comes from the Greek word 'paralusis', formed from 'para-' meaning 'beside' and 'luein' meaning 'to loosen or release'. The original idea was of muscles that had been 'loosened' on one side of the body, so they no longer worked. The word entered English in the 16th century through Latin, first used only as a medical term, and later took on the figurative meaning of being unable to act or decide.