immobilize

/ɪˈmoʊbəlaɪz/
verb
  1. To prevent something or someone from moving or operating normally.
    • Doctors immobilized the patient's broken arm with a cast.
    • A heavy snowstorm can immobilize an entire city for days.
    • The mechanic had to immobilize the car by disconnecting the battery.
  2. To make a person or group unable to act or function effectively.
    • Fear can immobilize a person and prevent them from making decisions.
    • The sudden news seemed to immobilize everyone in the room.
    • The strike immobilized the factory's production for a week.
Antonyms