What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
numbness
Example
After sitting for too long, my legs fell asleep and I experienced numbness. [numbness: noun]
Example
I felt a numbness in my fingers after being out in the cold for too long. [numbness: noun]
paralysis
Example
The accident left him with paralysis in his legs. [paralysis: noun]
Example
She was paralyzed with fear and unable to move. [paralyzed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Numbness is a more common term used in everyday language, while paralysis is a more technical term used in medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between numbness and paralysis?
Paralysis is a more formal term than numbness, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
