Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

paroxysmic

adjective
Save Word
par·​ox·​ys·​mic | \ ¦parək¦sizmik, -mēk \

Definition of paroxysmic

: paroxysmal the tension … made their sleep too desperate and paroxysmic to deserve being called rest— H. L. Davis

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for paroxysmic

International Scientific Vocabulary paroxysm + -ic

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about paroxysmic

Statistics for paroxysmic

Cite this Entry

“Paroxysmic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paroxysmic. Accessed 29 Oct. 2020.

Comments on paroxysmic

What made you want to look up paroxysmic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

rue

Listen to the pronunciation of rue

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Here Be Dragons: A Creature Identification Quiz

  • monster werewolf photo
  • Which is a synonym of werewolf?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games