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
She was paralyzed with fear when she saw the spider. [paralyzed: verb]
numb
Example
My fingers are numb from the cold. [numb: adjective]
Example
He felt numb after hearing the news of his friend's death. [numb: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Numb is more commonly used than paralyzed in everyday language. Numb is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while paralyzed is less common and typically used in medical or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between paralyzed and numb?
Paralyzed is a more formal word than numb, and is typically used in medical or technical contexts. Numb is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
