Paralysis is the lossthe state of no longer having something or being unable to use it of the ability to move part or all of the body. It can affect a single limban arm or leg, several muscles, or the whole body, depending on the causethe reason something happens.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /pə-RAL-ə-sis/
Easy pronunciation: puh-RAL-uh-sis (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: RAL.
Medical noun meaning loss of the ability to move a body part.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Paralysis Meaning
not being able to move part of your body
Part of speech: noun
Definition: loss of the ability to move a body part
Example: The injury caused paralysis in his left arm.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- palsy — An older medical term that can refer to paralysis or a similar loss of movement.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Paralysis Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- palsy
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using paralysis to mean general weakness or tiredness. It specifically refers to loss of movement.
- Using palsy as a casual everyday synonym in all contexts; it is older and more limited in modern usage.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does paralysis mean?
Paralysis means the loss of the ability to move a body part, or in severe cases, part or all of the body.
What is a simple synonym for paralysis?
Palsy is the main listed synonym in the source data, though it is an older medical term and not always used in everyday speech.
Is paralysis the same as weakness?
No. Weakness means reduced strength, but paralysis means the inability to move.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
