Definitions
- Describing a person with a physical disability that affects their ability to walk or move normally. - Referring to a machine or device that is damaged or broken and cannot function properly. - Talking about an organization or system that is severely weakened or impaired.
- Describing a person who has lost the ability to move or feel all or part of their body due to injury or illness. - Referring to a situation or process that is unable to progress or move forward. - Talking about a person who is unable to act or make decisions due to fear or indecision.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a loss or impairment of physical or functional ability.
- 2Both words can be used to describe people, machines, systems, or processes.
- 3Both words have negative connotations and suggest a state of helplessness or inability.
What is the difference?
- 1Cause: Crippled implies damage or impairment caused by injury, illness, or external factors, while paralyzed specifically refers to the loss of movement or sensation due to nerve damage or trauma.
- 2Extent: Paralyzed suggests a more severe and complete loss of function than crippled, which can refer to a range of disabilities or impairments.
- 3Focus: Crippled emphasizes the physical aspect of the impairment, while paralyzed can also refer to emotional or mental paralysis.
- 4Usage: Crippled is considered outdated and offensive by some people, while paralyzed is more commonly used in medical and scientific contexts.
- 5Connotation: Crippled can carry a negative connotation of being helpless or inferior, while paralyzed is more neutral and clinical in tone.
Remember this!
Crippled and paralyzed are synonyms that describe a loss or impairment of physical or functional ability. However, crippled suggests damage or impairment caused by injury, illness, or external factors, while paralyzed specifically refers to the loss of movement or sensation due to nerve damage or trauma. Additionally, paralyzed suggests a more severe and complete loss of function than crippled, which can refer to a range of disabilities or impairments.
