paroxysms

noun

plural of paroxysm
1
as in bursts
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling a paroxysm of laughter greeted the pratfall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in upheavals
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 paroxysms 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysms
  1. bursts
  2. upheavals
  3. outbursts
  4. convulsions
  5. explosions
  6. revolutions
  7. eruptions
  8. earthquakes
Noun
  • Solar storms are energy bursts from the sun that can contribute to strong auroral showings, several of which occurred in 2024, when the sun reached the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, marking a 500-year high in auroral activity.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Both of these carry the signatures of creative openings, bursts of genius, and new ideas being generated.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
Definition of bursts
Noun
  • Evans’ historic eight terms as the first Black chief judge saw the county through reforms, changes and upheavals, including the elimination of cash bail and the COVID-19 pandemic.
    — Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
  • These supply-chain upheavals have mounted pressures on certain industries like aviation, where jet fuel costs have soared, and agriculture, which has dealt with shortages of key chemicals used in fertilizers as a result of Strait of Hormuz closures.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of upheavals
Noun
  • The McKinney City Council voted late Wednesday night to approve a site plan for a new mosque after a marathon meeting marked by outbursts and hours of public comment.
    — Trevor Sochocki, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • His wife, Liz (Evan Rachel Wood), is a sneak preview of Debbie’s future, self-medicating with drugs, alcohol, and wrathful outbursts.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of outbursts
Noun
  • The severe strain of the virus often presents as a fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, or paralysis.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
  • Later Wednesday, Mexico City Health Secretary Nadine Gasman, told a news conference that another man, about 30, was treated by emergency personnel after suffering an epileptic seizure, convulsions, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Definition of convulsions
Noun
  • Residents described hearing explosions believed to be blasts from the old shells, authorities said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • If the gas nozzle became clogged or leaked, pockets of concentrated acetylene could build up and ignite, causing localized explosions.
    — Matthew MacConnell, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of explosions
Noun
  • Technological revolutions don't necessarily displace previous practices.
    — Denis Sinelnikov, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • By the 1960s, both Holman and Clift were too deeply scarred to benefit from the decade’s social revolutions.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 23 July 2026
Definition of revolutions
Noun
  • That means a huge number of eruptions happen mostly out of sight.
    — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 31 July 2026
  • The current series of Kilauea eruptions began in December 2024.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of eruptions
Noun
  • The Venezuelan players union AUFPV and soccer players across the country quickly launched relief efforts to support those affected after the June 24 earthquakes.
    — Michelle Kaufman August 7, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The first hint came from a small swarm of earthquakes on May 8, with NASA satellites spotting steamy volcanic plumes and discolored water the next day.
    — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 31 July 2026
Definition of earthquakes

Browse Nearby Words

paroxysmal
paroxysms
parricide
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Cite this Entry

“Paroxysms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysms. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on paroxysms

Nglish: Translation of paroxysms for Spanish Speakers

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