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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The death of a star is usually thought to be a violent and hostile place, filled with scorching radiation that destroys fragile molecules.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026 -
Last year, the county sued NaphCare for its alleged role in the death of Brandon Yates, who was murdered in the Central Jail in 2024 after being wrongly placed into a cell with a violent offender.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Anyone who has defied the regime before has risked their life to do so, and – despite being at the mercy of the most ferocious military machine on the face of the planet – the regime might yet survive.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
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American Nathan Martin, a 36-year-old high school cross-country coach from Jackson, Michigan, ran 2 hours, 11 minutes and 16 seconds (five minutes per mile) to claim victory with a ferocious kick that came down to his final stride.—
John Davis,
Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The steep fee, enacted in 2015 due to surging demand among American expatriates seeking to avoid new tax reporting requirements, faced fierce opposition.—
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
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No single line embodies both the overflowing kindness and fierce competence of small-town Brainerd's chief of police, Marge Gunderson.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The former ambassador leaves the post after a turbulent, combative year at the arts institution.—
Geoff Edgers,
Washington Post,
14 Mar. 2026
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Multiple sources have indicated the Aztecs won’t accept either and instead get started on what figures to be a turbulent offseason.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Hensley made 23 saves and the Frost held off a furious rally from the New York Sirens to win 4-3 in front of 15,512 fans — another statement of intent for this city and its hope to land a professional women’s hockey team in the near future.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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The triple gave the Mavericks a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter and sent fans at Rocket Arena into a furious rage.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Hiking the craggy landscape of Pinnacles National Park, forged by volcanic eruptions so long ago, might leave one as famished as a California condor — which indeed call these badlands home.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
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The National Park Service has closed Kīlauea’s summit, citing danger from glassy volcanic fragments known as tephra.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Paroxysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysmal. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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