Library / English Dictionary

IMMOBILIZE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Cause to be unable to move

Example:

The sudden storm immobilized the traffic

Synonyms:

immobilise; immobilize

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "immobilize" is one way to...):

curb; curtail; cut back; restrict (place restrictions on)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "immobilize"):

paralyse; paralyze (cause to be paralyzed and immobile)

stun; stupefy (make senseless or dizzy by or as if by a blow)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

immobile (not capable of movement or of being moved)

immobilization; immobilizing (the act of limiting movement or making incapable of movement)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)

Example:

Freeze the assets of this hostile government

Synonyms:

block; freeze; immobilise; immobilize

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "immobilize" is one way to...):

keep back; withhold (hold back; refuse to hand over or share)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Convert (assets) into fixed capital

Synonyms:

immobilise; immobilize

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "immobilize" is one way to...):

convert (change in nature, purpose, or function; undergo a chemical change)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 4

Meaning:

Make defenseless

Synonyms:

immobilise; immobilize

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "immobilize" is one way to...):

beat; beat out; crush; shell; trounce; vanquish (come out better in a competition, race, or conflict)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

The fighter managed to immobilize his opponent

Sense 5

Meaning:

To hold fast or prevent from moving

Example:

The child was pinned under the fallen tree

Synonyms:

immobilise; immobilize; pin; trap

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

The fighter managed to immobilize his opponent

Derivation:

immobile (not capable of movement or of being moved)

immobilization (fixation (as by a plaster cast) of a body part in order to promote proper healing)

immobilizing (the act of limiting movement or making incapable of movement)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Hold as reserve or withdraw from circulation; of capital

Synonyms:

immobilise; immobilize

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "immobilize" is one way to...):

keep back; withhold (hold back; refuse to hand over or share)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Credits