1
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
a paroxysm of laughter greeted the pratfall
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
Darwin's introduction of the theory of evolution created paroxysms in both religion and science that are still being felt today
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paroxysm
Symptoms can include: Runny or stuffed-up nose Low-grade fever
Mild, occasional cough
One to two weeks after symptoms start, people may develop paroxysms, or coughing fits, which can last up to 10 weeks and gradually become worse as the illness continues, NCMS says.
—
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2025
Across the country, campuses were undergoing paroxysms of protest and counter-protest, pulled between the Palestinian and Israeli causes.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
And what ensues is just that: a sloshing, pumping paroxysm of guttural suffering.
—Spin Contributor, SPIN, 12 Feb. 2025
The prologue might end with a paroxysm of violence, but first there are a few timid whimpers of nascent pleasure; Bill Skarsgård’s base and primal Count Orlok is a nightmare who arrives on the wings of a nocturnal emission.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2025
Across the country, campuses were undergoing paroxysms of protest and counter-protest, pulled between the Palestinian and Israeli causes.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
And what ensues is just that: a sloshing, pumping paroxysm of guttural suffering.
—Spin Contributor, SPIN, 12 Feb. 2025
The prologue might end with a paroxysm of violence, but first there are a few timid whimpers of nascent pleasure; Bill Skarsgård’s base and primal Count Orlok is a nightmare who arrives on the wings of a nocturnal emission.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysm
Noun
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Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah said in an X post that explosions were heard in the northern Indian state’s capital Srinagar just hours after both nations agreed to maintain a ceasefire.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
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Residents living near Srinagar city’s airport, which is also an air base, said they were rattled by the explosions and booming sound of jets.—
Riazat Butt,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
Noun
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Of course, the most consequential threat to the traditional home of TV and film production is the dramatic upheaval in the foundational business models for U.S. TV and film.—
Howard Homonoff,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
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Rubio told the Herald that the designation was part of America’s responsibility to address the widespread violence and political upheaval in the country.—
Michelle Garcia,
NBC news,
2 May 2025
Noun
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The Vikings’ nine-run outburst in the second inning was matched by the Caravan’s six-run fifth.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2025
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For more than a year now, the sun has been in the opposite phase—the solar maximum—with a messy magnetic field, plenty of sunspots and regular outbursts.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
9 May 2025
Noun
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The Latin American pivot proved timely, offering Gaumont an outlet as the English-speaking market faced post-pandemic labor unrest and economic slowdown.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
7 May 2025
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Amidst the social unrest shaking France, the fates of Valjean, Cosette, her lover Marius, and Javert become intertwined in a turbulent, revolutionary Paris.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Whimsical, preppy, and versatile, these hues add a burst of freshness into any space, designers say.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2025
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With Amazon’s stock reeling after the dot-com bubble burst, Bezos committed to offering customers value, slashing prices on core products, The New York Times reported at the time.—
Tom Huddleston Jr.,
CNBC,
1 May 2025
Noun
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There’s one particular aspect fascinating experts: The solar boom is a grassroots revolution and almost none of it is in the form of big solar farms.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
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Recommended Dignity As war with Russia drags on, Ukrainians wage parallel ‘revolution of dignity’ So, too, the Iranians, with whom Mr. Trump’s envoy held a fourth round of nuclear talks over the weekend.—
Ned Temko,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Our study exemplifies how seismology combined with rock physics models and petrological analysis can resolve the detailed structure and composition of a volcanic system, critical for assessing eruption hazard.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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Leonard has been a solid scorer throughout this series, including his 39-point eruption in Game 2.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Nearing Trump's 100th day in office, economy isn't getting better for most, with tariffs, stock market convulsions and high grocery bills.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
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This can lead to deafness, convulsions or intellectual disabilities.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paroxysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysm. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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