Immobilize (Verb)
Meaning 1
Prohibit the conversion or use of (assets); "Blocked funds"; "Freeze the assets of this hostile government".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The court order seeks to immobilize the assets of the company until the investigation into embezzlement is complete.
- The government will immobilize the bank accounts of individuals suspected of financing terrorism.
- To prevent further financial damage, the authorities decided to immobilize the assets of the bankrupt company.
- The asset forfeiture law allows the authorities to immobilize the proceeds of crime.
- The international community has agreed to immobilize the funds of the rogue state in response to their human rights abuses.
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Meaning 2
To hold fast or prevent from moving; "The child was pinned under the fallen tree".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- Heavy rocks were placed on the lid to immobilize it and prevent it from being opened.
- The large bear in the zoo enclosure was shot with tranquilizers to immobilize it before the veterinarians began their examination.
- Multiple ropes were used to immobilize the tent during strong winds.
- A car accident victim was immobilized by the paramedics with a neck collar and backboard before being transported to the hospital.
- The rare insect was carefully immobilize by a droplet of glue on its wings to prevent it from flying away during the study.
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Meaning 3
Make defenseless.
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- The new medication is designed to immobilize the virus before it spreads to other parts of the body.
- Aiming for the tires, the police were able to immobilize the getaway car with precision shots.
- If an attacker manages to immobilize you in a hold, your priority should be to try and escape.
- The authorities immobilize the entire operation, shutting down multiple facilities across the state.
- He was left fighting for his life after a bullet wound appeared to immobilize him on the battlefield.
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Meaning 4
Convert (assets) into fixed capital.
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The new business investment will immobilize a significant portion of the company's liquid assets into real estate and equipment.
- If the corporation immobilizes all its cash into purchasing and renovating the new property, they risk running short of operating capital.
- Immobilizing funds into infrastructure projects can provide long-term benefits, but also limit the availability of immediate resources for other ventures.
- Small businesses may be at risk of insolvency by immobilizing a substantial portion of their assets into a single venture with an uncertain profit margin.
- In order to maintain a stable financial position, it's generally advised to avoid immobilizing all assets into fixed capital at once.
Synonyms
Meaning 5
Hold as reserve or withdraw from circulation; of capital.
Classification
Verbs of buying, selling, owning.
Examples
- The decision was made to immobilize a significant portion of the company's capital until the market conditions improved.
- Immobilize an allocated portion of the investment to safeguard against unexpected financial downturns and maintain liquidity.
- The economic instability led the investors to immobilize a substantial amount of their capital in safe-haven assets.
- Due to market volatility, we have chosen to immobilize our spare funds and reduce our level of risk.
- This business strategy involves immobilizing a certain percentage of available capital to hedge against unforeseen financial crises.
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Meaning 6
Cause to be unable to move; "The sudden storm immobilized the traffic".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The sedative was designed to immobilize the patient during the long procedure.
- A debilitating illness had immobilized the famous musician, forcing her to cancel her tour.
- The cold temperatures immobilized the car's engine, leaving us stranded in the middle of nowhere.
- The wrestler's opponent was immobilized by a perfectly executed full nelson hold.
- A combination of exhaustion and fatigue immobilized the hikers, forcing them to set up camp prematurely.