paroxysm

noun

ˈper-ək-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce paroxysm (audio)
Definition of paroxysmnext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of paroxysm Also, stars in this frenzied state aren’t terribly stable; the fusion rate can be tempestuous, and the star undergoes incredibly violent paroxysms. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026 The lack of oxygen sends your body into frenzied paroxysms of cringe. — Hallie Cantor, New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2026 Less than a paroxysm of triumph, Ferran Torres’ winning goal pierced the tension and sent a small pocket of Spain superfans behind the goal into shrieks of relief. — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019 Finally, the paroxysms of violence across the arc of instability from North Africa to South Asia have led some observers to conclude that disorder in the Middle East could threaten the entire global order. — Jake Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, 5 Mar. 2018 See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysm
  1. explosion
  2. upheaval
  3. outburst
  4. unrest
  5. burst
  6. revolution
  7. eruption
  8. convulsion
Noun
  • In the 1960s America launched the Vela fleet of satellites, whose sole task was to look at Earth’s surface and search for any telltale neutrons, x-rays and gamma rays—extremely high-energy particles—coming from a nuclear explosion.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Most of these fragments were generated by explosions and orbital collisions that shattered satellites and used rocket stages into clouds of dangerous debris.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Management upheaval at Netflix continued Monday as the streamer’s head of films Dan Lin exited.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Law enforcement was deployed to contain the upheaval, and the government is holding public security summits on Monday to handle future responses.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of upheaval
Noun
  • Rushing went through a learning curve juggling his defensive and offensive responsibilities, and navigating intense online scrutiny of his outbursts on the field and in the dugout.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • From harassing Brady over his divorce from Gisele Bündchen on social media to trying to be a rapper and much more, Brown’s post-football life has been one filled with public outbursts and controversial statements and stunts.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • The unrest culminated in rioting and looting over the weekend, with officials estimating that the damages could be worth hundreds of millions of euros.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
  • France has had two consecutive quiet nights since the weekend’s unrest.
    — Samuel Petrequin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of unrest
Noun
  • Berg, working with DP Jacques Jouffret, favors close shots that force us to experience battle much like our heroes do, as confusing, terrifying bursts of mayhem.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The heaviness comes from the fact that the artist died in April, at age forty-six, but it’s also embedded in the paintings on view—in the bursts of fire and swirling floods that mark them.
    — Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • The revolution was an intimate one, grounded in a simple vision of heaven as a place for dancing cheek to cheek.
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Most employees work on the technology in one form or another as Nadella pivots the software giant to win the enterprise and cloud computing parts of the AI revolution.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of revolution
Noun
  • Such a cloud is typically linked to an eruption of heavy elements—those created during a neutron star collision and its resulting kilonova.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The night that inspired Gothic literature In 1815, a volcanic eruption in Indonesia released a massive cloud of ash and particulates, large enough to affect global weather.
    — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of eruption
Noun
  • Thierry Wizman, global FX and rates strategist at Macquarie Group, argued in a note Tuesday that a series of convulsions would have to occur for France to get its act together and appease the bond market.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The invasive form can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, balance loss and convulsions.
    — Eva Flowe October 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of convulsion

Browse Nearby Words

paroling
paroxysm
paroxysmal
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Cite this Entry

“Paroxysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysm. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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