lähmend
Translation
paralyzing, crippling, numbing
Examples
Die Hitze war lähmend.
The heat was paralyzing.
Er hatte eine lähmende Angst.
He had a paralyzing fear.
Grammar Patterns
((attributive)) a paralyzing ... A paralyzing silence fell.
((predicative)) ... is paralyzing The fear was paralyzing.
Similar Words
Synonyms: erstarrend, hemmend; Antonyms: belebend, anregend
Etymology
It's the present participle of 'lähmen' (to paralyze), which is derived from 'lahm' (lame).
Memory Tips
Think of the related word 'lahm', which means 'lame'. A 'lähmend' feeling is one that makes you feel lame or unable to move.