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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paroxysm
Even the Wimbledon crowd went into paroxysms for Andy Murray — after the points were over.
—
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Before becoming vice president, Senator JD Vance’s introduction of a bill to raise the tax on large endowments from 1.4% to 35% for universities with endowments larger than $10 billion sent the right-side of social media world into paroxysms of ecstasy.
—Adrian Wooldridge, Twin Cities, 6 May 2025
Wilson’s idealistic vision of a new U.S. role in the world collapsed in a paroxysm of partisanship.
—Charles A. Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
The 55-year-old electrical engineer at the center of this postal paroxysm was an improbable target.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Sep. 2014
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Before becoming vice president, Senator JD Vance’s introduction of a bill to raise the tax on large endowments from 1.4% to 35% for universities with endowments larger than $10 billion sent the right-side of social media world into paroxysms of ecstasy.
—Adrian Wooldridge, Twin Cities, 6 May 2025
Wilson’s idealistic vision of a new U.S. role in the world collapsed in a paroxysm of partisanship.
—Charles A. Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
The 55-year-old electrical engineer at the center of this postal paroxysm was an improbable target.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Sep. 2014
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysm
Noun
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In a news conference Friday, a spokesperson for the Pest County Police Headquarters said an explosion in one of the rooms likely caused the fire.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Some parents told the Tribune that pandemic-era growth seems to have set off a snowball effect, fueled by an explosion of online and at-home learning resources.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And then there’s D’Amaro, who will need to chart a course for the most powerful of all traditional entertainment companies amid that tech upheaval.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
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Wilson isn’t alone in shutting out the noise of the industry’s upheaval.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The next day, standing below the balcony of the Lorraine Motel where the team was staying in Memphis, King yelled down at Jackson in joviality, as if to mitigate the outburst, inviting him to dinner.—
Johanna Neuman,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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Tyra Banks finally responded to her now-viral outburst against America's Next Top Model contestant Tiffany Richardson in a new documentary looking back at the show.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Iran used overwhelming force against the protesters to clear people out of the streets, but also to buy the government time by preventing any future waves of unrest, said Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, a Washington think tank.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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Officials in law enforcement have said the number of police applicants looking to join a police force never quite rebounded since unrest around the nation led to protests and demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death in 2020.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There has been some speculation that Lagrange’s future could be as a reliever, which would let his electric arsenal play up in bursts.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
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Consistency triumphs over bursts of brilliance.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The energy of Aquarius invites revolution, innovation, and liberation, while the energy of the Fire Horse invites you to create momentum, with courage and freedom.—
Marie Bladt,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
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Much has been written about the coming AI revolution.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Braedon Tobin lit the lamp four times in an offensive eruption, powering Sandwich in a 7-3 win over Dennis-Yarmouth in the Jeff Hayes Memorial Tournament.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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That includes a 26-point eruption in which Alvarado made eight 3-pointers in Philadelphia.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, White speculates that the Hong Kong funds also got pummeled by headwinds in the Yen-carry trade—which made their financing more expensive—and exposure to recent convulsions in the silver market.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
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Some permanent changes among survivors have been noted, including persistent convulsions.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paroxysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysm. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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