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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
  • That flexibility makes flow batteries particularly relevant to long-duration storage, where systems may need to deliver electricity for several hours rather than simply provide short bursts of backup power.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Could Civale maybe be used in shorter bursts, meaning he could be used more often?
    — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of bursts
Noun
  • But external leadership quickly devolves if our inner landscapes are left scattered to the wind during massive, often uninvited personal upheavals.
    — Patrick Murphy, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The causes were many, but the upheavals of the post-9/11 world supplied powerful fuel.
    — Ayman M. Mohyeldin, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of upheavals
Noun
  • But foreigners have also experienced sporadic outbursts of xenophobic violence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • If the lighting is controlled, the performances restrained (with room for outbursts, of course), and the score swelling at the right moments, the work will register as important.
    — Henry Metz, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of outbursts
Noun
  • Signs of infection include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss and paralysis.
    — Esther Launstein, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of convulsions
Noun
  • The second mystery is the puzzle over how exactly type Ia supernova explosions detonate.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The Keller offense has been a sight to behold so far this season with a pair of 55-point explosions in Week 1 and Week 2.
    — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of explosions
Noun
  • One of the most challenging blind spots in modern leadership is learning how to guide our own internal systems through whirlwind revolutions, life transitions and change.
    — Patrick Murphy, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Revolutions inspire other revolutions—and counterrevolutions.
    — Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of revolutions
Noun
  • Potential hazards include volcanic bombs, heavy ashfall and lava flows if continuous eruptions resume.
    — Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • After the northern lights put on a dazzling show over North Dakota, Canada and Iceland earlier this week, the solar eruptions expected to stir up Wednesday night’s sky have been delayed or possibly missed Earth altogether.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of eruptions
Noun
  • The country is also recovering from devastating back-to-back earthquakes in June that have so far killed over 6,000 people.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Critics say nuclear energy is too expensive and still faces risks from natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 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 18 Sep. 2026.

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