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
Henry, afflicted by a psychic link to the monsters behind the veil of the Stranger Things universe, has to go into writhing, spitting paroxysms at least once every 20 minutes or so.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
The system came crashing down in a paroxysm of raw power politics, and the world was set ablaze.
—Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Sudden fits or attacks, known as paroxysms, of rapid coughs.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
For Fu, a 24-year-old graduate student in Beijing, this month’s paroxysms don’t change much on the ground.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
The system came crashing down in a paroxysm of raw power politics, and the world was set ablaze.
—Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Sudden fits or attacks, known as paroxysms, of rapid coughs.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
For Fu, a 24-year-old graduate student in Beijing, this month’s paroxysms don’t change much on the ground.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysm
Noun
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The Washington Post had reported that residents had grown accustomed to explosions from his stunts and videos and his larger-than-life presence.—
Chris Quintana,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
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An Associated Press reporter in Chaman heard jets over Spin Boldak, a city in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, and saw smoke rising after an explosion.—
NPR,
NPR,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Al-Sudani, who rose to power after that upheaval, insisted his government had taken tangible steps to restore public trust, such as economic progress and political stability.—
Emma Graham,
CNBC,
15 Oct. 2025
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But this journey takes place during the 1993 Nigerian election crisis, a moment of profound historical upheaval and political unrest — when everything is on the verge of change.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Los Alamitos’ outburst also included a 74-yard touchdown reception by Boise State committed tight end Beckham Hofland from Colin Creason.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Still, an offensive outburst from Ohtani would be a welcome sight.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Duffy did not cite specific intelligence, but his remarks echoed broader administration warnings about potential unrest tied to the protests this Saturday.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Missouri is chasing a rebound to keep its SEC title hopes alive, while Auburn and head coach Hugh Freeze are trying to quiet growing unrest.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Soon there was a burst of flame, which appeared to spread from the cab and shot out several feet from the driver's side of the truck.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
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Halfmann's team knew this process takes a burst of energy.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Employers can tap our natural human urge to connect through culture-building and clear organizational purpose – especially during rapid transformation like the AI revolution and other economic pressures.—
Jason Del Rey,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Appelhans compared today’s animation landscape to music’s digital revolution.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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After its initial eruption, the crowd began to serenade him.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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The recent eruption of speculative names reminds Cramer of the dotcom boom and bust 25 years ago.—
Julie Coleman,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Symptoms can be severe and include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, sometimes following gastrointestinal symptoms.—
News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
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During the Cold War, the Horn was an epicenter of proxy wars between the United States and the Soviet Union; as the Cold War drew to a close, the region experienced political convulsions: regime change in Ethiopia, state collapse in Somalia, and civil wars in Sudan.—
ALAN BOSWELL,
Foreign Affairs,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paroxysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysm. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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