as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
paroxysmal mood swings that made being around him very challenging
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysmal
Adjective
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Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writes about violent weather, the environment, climate change and other news.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
8 June 2026 -
His drawling, winking charm is front and center, and his attraction to our heroine feels both genuine and even quite protective, but his violent streak is so blasé as to be unnerving.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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Fires ravaged the ballpark’s left-field bleachers in May 1926, and a tornado’s ferocious winds tore through additional sections of seats that July, and ownership could not afford to renovate.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2026
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Noisy, ebullient, ferocious and free, Dance!—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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What all present did expect was a fierce contest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
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Bagnulo noted that the competition will be fierce.—
Andrew McNicol,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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Getty Images The Philadelphia Phillies have spent the last several weeks playing like a club determined to erase the disappointment of a turbulent first half.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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As the investigation progresses in this four-part docuseries, Stephen reveals the turbulent family dynamics that shaped his childhood, including his father Ron — a violent Vietnam War vet grappling with PTSD — and his mother, Margie, who divorced Ron in the '90s.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Scenes of furious sketching, intricate designs of delicate cutouts and swirling shapes and fabrics, pinning, sewing and the bustle of runway shows alternate with fretting about how to pay the rent.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 June 2026
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The post, liked by 8 million users, drew thousands of comments, mostly from furious Knicks fans who couldn’t believe that the furry red Muppet didn’t fully endorse his hometown team for its away game.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Sunrise hikes beside the statues, volcanic landscapes, local guides and museums bring Rapa Nui culture to life, while conservation programs protect the archaeological sites and local communities continue to preserve their traditions, language, music and dance.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
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Iran’s mentors were naturally taken aback by the volcanic eruption of popular anti-Americanism in the country in 1978.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Paroxysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysmal. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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