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Glite Dictionary
🧪 A body stopper 🚫 A progress blocker
paralyzer

paralyzer

8.0
A thing that stops people from acting because they are afraid or not sure
  • noun
  • /ˈpærəˌlaɪzər/
  • US
translation icon : paralizador
  • Uncertainty about the new regulations became a paralyzer for investment in the region.

Examples

  • Fear of making mistakes can be a powerful paralyzer in decision-making processes.

  • Fear can be a paralyzer for many people.

  • The threat of a lawsuit acted as a paralyzer for the entire project team.

  • The uncertainty of the future acts as a paralyzer for decision-making.

  • The constant criticism from her peers became a paralyzer, preventing her from pursuing her dreams.

  • The uncertainty of the future acted as a paralyzer for the committee, halting all decision-making.

  • In times of crisis, fear can be a powerful paralyzer, leaving individuals and organizations unable to move forward.

Synonyms

staller
vsparalyzer
1 7.9

A person who delays making decisions on purpose

causes people or groups to be unable to act because of fear or uncertainty

Antonyms

motivator
35 4.0

A person or thing that makes people want to do something

enabler
11 4.6

Something that helps people or groups succeed

How Paralyzing

paralyzer
  • US
8.0
crisis
∞ 3.1
impediment
51 7.0
to worry
∞ 1.0
hesitation
110 2.8
doubt
∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

paralyzer singular
paralyzers plural

Morphology

paralyzer = paralyze (transparent) = paralyze + er

Formed by adding '-er' to the verb 'paralyze' to denote an agent or cause; the metaphorical extension to non-physical causes is a straightforward semantic generalization.

Etymology

Paralyzer comes from the same Greek parts para- ('beside' or 'against') and -lyze ('to loosen'), and you can think of it as 'loosening' the power to act. That's why a paralyzer can also mean something like fear or doubt that stops people or groups from acting or deciding.