What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
paralysing
Example
The accident left him paralysed from the waist down. [paralysed: adjective]
Example
The fear of failure was paralysing her ability to take action. [paralysing: present participle]
crippling
Example
The disease was slowly crippling her ability to walk. [crippling: present participle]
Example
The high cost of living was crippling the family's finances. [crippling: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Crippling is more commonly used than paralysing in everyday language. Crippling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while paralysing is less common and may be considered more formal or technical.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between paralysing and crippling?
Paralysing is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone, while crippling is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.