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
Preparing a tax return can trigger paroxysms of stress at the best of times.
—
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
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 post is now nearing a hundred million views and inspiring paroxysms of millennial self-reckoning.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 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
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
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 post is now nearing a hundred million views and inspiring paroxysms of millennial self-reckoning.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 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
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysm
Noun
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The larger and more immediate risk came from the possible explosion.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
The chemical behind the explosion — ammonium nitrate — is not regulated under RMP.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The rule, adopted before the 2020 season but not implemented until this year due to the upheavals caused by the coronavirus pandemic, states that a team cannot use a position player on the mound unless there is a difference of six or more runs between the two teams.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Jennifer Garner is unpacking the 'upheaval' in family life that came from her 2015 split from ex-husband Ben Affleck.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Tyler Freeman tacked on an RBI single and Goodman capped the outburst with his 14th homer — a three-run drive over the left-field wall.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
The outburst completely erased the five-run deficit and gave KU a 6-5 lead.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Madonna has made music through various calamities that at the time felt world-ending — wars, political unrest, financial collapse — so the terrors of 2026 don’t seem to faze her.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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But its popularity didn’t spread beyond the northern Spanish city until the domestic unrest that had blighted the Basque region dissipated in the 2010s.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Four of the runs scored in a quick burst in the sixth, when Neto made an error just before Rushing’s three-run homer.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
-
While the Rays came alive for three runs during the final two innings, Miami’s early offensive burst built enough of a cushion for Tyler Zuber to earn his first career save.—
Tyler Carmona
June 6,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Iranian flags of pre-1979 revolution vintage — flags that many Iranian-Americans wave as a protest against the current regime in Tehran — are banned from the match, per FIFA.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
-
The name almendrón comes from the Spanish word for almond, a reference to the rounded shape of the large American sedans imported before Cuba’s 1959 revolution.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Milwaukee's eruption in the sixth turned a 3-1 deficit into a comfortable cushion.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
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While the prominence resembles a fiery eruption, Johnston notes that looks can be deceiving.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Gary McHugh went into convulsions.—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2026
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In the 1850s and 1860s, the partisan press in the United States helped stoke the political convulsions that led to the Civil War.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paroxysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysm. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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