Tom has cerebral palsy.
Source: tatoeba (1676728)
Palsy
/ˈpɔːlzi/
Synonyms for "palsy" (96 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (20)
Noun(2 words)
paralysisbell's palsy
agueamyotrophic lateral sclerosisanesthetizeapoplexybenumbbesotbluntbrain diseasebumpinesscatalepsycataplexycephalalgiacerebral palsychatteringchloroformchoreacold shiversdeaden
Strong matches (28)
desensitizediplegiadopedrugdullemotional disorderepilepsyetherizefalling sicknessfits and startsfreezeglossopharyngeal neuralgiaheadachehemiplegiaherpes zosterinfantile paralysisischialgiajactationjactitationjerkiness
Noun(2 words)
facial nerve palsyloss of movement
Adjective(1 words)
Related words (48)
migrainemsmultiple sclerosisnarcotizenervous disorderneuralgianeuritisneuropathynumborganic psychosisparalysisparalyzeparaplegiaparesispoliopoliomyelitispolyneuritispressure neuropathypriapismquaking
Show 26 more words
quaveringquiveringradiculitissciatic neuritissciaticasensory paralysisshakesshakingshaking palsyshinglesshiveringshiversshudderingspasmspasmsspastic paralysisstrokestunstupefysuccussionthe jerkstic douloureuxtoxic psychosistremblingtremulousnessvibration
Noun(2 words)
motor impairmentpalsying
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: paralysis, ague, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, anesthetize, apoplexy.
- Sentence evidence is available for palsy, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "palsy".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "palsy"
Keep "palsy" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "palsy" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "palsy", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "palsy" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
8 entriesMore specific
3 entriesBell's palsyfacial nerve palsynerve palsy
Collocations
5 entriesBell's palsyfacial mobilityfacial nerve palsynerve palsyperipheral palsy
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
1 entriesSample sentences
13 total sentences available.
My dad has recently got a cerebral palsy.
Source: tatoeba (6326926)
My dad has recently been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Source: tatoeba (6326928)
Yet hist! faint eerie tones are sometimes heard — which blanch the cheek and palsy all the limbs — like to the moaning of departed souls!
Source: tatoeba (10998357)
Showing 4 of 13 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "palsy"?
Closest matches include paralysis, ague, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, anesthetize, apoplexy.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "palsy"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.