What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
paralyzed
Example
The accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. [paralyzed: adjective]
Example
I was paralyzed with fear when I saw the spider crawling towards me. [paralyzed: verb]
immobilized
Example
The broken leg immobilized him for weeks. [immobilized: verb]
Example
The car was immobilized by the heavy snowfall. [immobilized: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Paralyzed is more commonly used in medical contexts, while immobilized can be used in both medical and non-medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between paralyzed and immobilized?
Both words are formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. However, paralyzed is more technical and specific to medical contexts, while immobilized can be used in a wider range of situations.
