1. causing someone to be unable to move or act normally
Usage: British spelling
2. causing someone to be unable to think or act effectively due to fear, shock, or overwhelming emotion
Usage: British spelling; figurative

Examples

• The accident left him with a paralysing spinal injury.
• She felt a paralysing fear before her job interview.
• The paralysing cold made it impossible to move quickly.
• His paralysing anxiety prevented him from speaking in public.
• The stroke caused paralysing weakness in her left arm.
• The team faced paralysing indecision about their strategy.