# paralyze

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈpæɹəlaɪz/ · frequency rank #44,394

## Definitions
1. To afflict with paralysis.
2. To render unable to move; to immobilize.
3. To render unable to function properly.

## Etymology
Partly a borrowing from French. Probably partly either (i) formed within English, by derivation. Or partly (ii) a borrowing from French, combined with an English element. Etymons: Middle English paralysie, -ize suffix; French paralyser.

## Easily confused with
- **paralyzed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/paralyze-vs-paralyzed)

## Common misspellings (12)
`apralyze`, `paarlyze`, `parallyze`, `paralyez`, `paralyyze`, `paralyzze`, `paralzye`, `paraylze`, `parlayze`, `parralyze`, `pparalyze`, `praalyze`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/paralyze