immobilized

/ɪˈməʊ.bəl.aɪz/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌɪmˈobəlˌaɪzd] /ɪˈmoʊ.bəl.aɪz/ (ame, ipa)

immobilized — verb

  • immobilizedpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • immobilizeds3rd person singular
  • immobilizeding-ing form
  • immobilizededpast simple

1. to make a person, animal, vehicle, or body part unable to move for a time by hol

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make a person, animal, vehicle, or body part unable to move for a time by holding it still, blocking it, or fixing it in place

例句

The doctor immobilized Noah's arm with a hard plastic splint.

immobilize + body part + with + device

Two guards immobilized the thief before he reached the station door.

同義詞
  • restrain

    Often focuses on controlling a person's actions rather than physically fixing a body part or machine in place

  • secure

    Broader and often milder; can mean fastening something safely without suggesting a total loss of movement

  • paralyze

    Usually refers to loss of movement caused by nerve damage or shock, not by an outside device or barrier

反義詞
  • free

    To allow someone or something to move again

  • release

    Common when a person or object is no longer being held still

文法句型

immobilize + person/thing

immobilize + body part + with + device

be immobilized by + force/event

用法筆記

The object is usually a person, an animal, a vehicle, or a body part. In medical contexts, it often means keeping an injured part still with a splint, brace, or collar rather than causing the injury itself.

常見錯誤

❌The nurse immobilized the patient from moving.
✅The nurse immobilized the patient.
💡'Immobilize' already includes the idea of preventing movement, so 'from moving' is unnecessary.

2. to keep money, capital, or other assets from being used, moved, or turned into c

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to keep money, capital, or other assets from being used, moved, or turned into cash for a period of time

例句

The court immobilized the company's bank funds during the fraud investigation.

formal finance use with funds as object

New sanctions immobilized several overseas accounts linked to the dealer.

同義詞
  • freeze

    More common everyday and legal term for officially stopping access to funds or accounts

  • withhold

    Broader term that can mean keeping money back without the formal sense of locking it in place

  • sequester

    Formal legal word often used when assets are set aside under official control

反義詞
  • release

    To make the funds or assets available for use again

  • liquidate

    To turn assets into cash rather than keeping them tied up

文法句型

immobilize + funds/assets/capital

be immobilized during + legal process

immobilize + account/inheritance

用法筆記

This sense belongs mainly to legal and financial contexts. The object is usually money, capital, accounts, or other assets that are formally prevented from moving or being used.

常見錯誤

❌The company immobilized all its cash on new chairs.
✅The company spent its cash on new chairs.
💡In this sense, 'immobilize' means assets are locked or withheld, not simply spent.