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
  • The explosions provide different interruptions, punctuating the moment as one of Keeley’s ideas plays out in real time.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Though the threat of an explosion was mitigated in early June, cleanup didn't begin until the very end of the month.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Guardiola is gone, star midfielder Rodri has departed, and there is ongoing upheaval across several positions as new boss Enzo Maresca reshapes the squad.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • So the city’s annual meeting with the investment community came at an inconvenient time given the personnel upheaval on the fifth floor.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of upheaval
Noun
  • The lack of offense was familiar, except for the aberration of Thursday night’s 18-run outburst against the Houston Astros.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The family drama is set during an idyllic island vacation that takes a tumultuous turn when a mother’s sudden physical outburst towards her 10-year-old son exposes hidden tensions and lingering conflicts within the family.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • Denis, who goes by Jan Mapou after his store, Libreri Mapou, has long been a fixture in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, a refuge since the 1970s for Haitians fleeing dictators and political unrest.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Columbia, which doesn’t have its own police force, handled the unrest by shutting, reopening, and resealing its borders, confusing even itself.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of unrest
Noun
  • There’s powerful minerality with a bright burst of delightful acidity in the finish.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Then De’Von Achane had a burst to the right for about 10 yards.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • Two inequalities, of wealth and and of time, are the obstacle to the game-changing revolution in healthcare that these drugs represent.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Change has been a constant companion for Newcastle United since their takeover five years ago but perhaps for the first time, this summer has felt like a genuine revolution.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of revolution
Noun
  • Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because of its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities are central to supernova explosions as well as volcanic eruptions and this study will help astronomers and geophysicists alike in predict how energy moves through these systems.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of eruption
Noun
  • But in some cases, West Nile can reach the brain and cause extreme headaches, meningitis, tremors, convulsions and paralysis.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The gas was highly toxic to the respiratory system, causing asphyxiation, convulsions, and, in severe cases, death.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 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 Aug. 2026.

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