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
These symptoms include: Runny or stuffed up nose Low-grade fever (less than 100.4℉)
Mild, occasional cough
One to two weeks after the first symptoms start, people may develop paroxysms, or coughing fits, that usually last one to six weeks but can last up to 10 weeks.
—
Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024
Many of the young men peeling away from the Democrats came of age during in the social paroxysms of recent years: #MeToo, DEI, online cancellations—cultural changes that some men interpreted as hostile to them.
—Charlotte Alter, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024
For Fu, a 24-year-old graduate student in Beijing, this month’s paroxysms don’t change much on the ground.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2024
One to two weeks after the first symptoms start, people may develop paroxysms, or coughing fits, that usually last one to six weeks but can last up to 10 weeks.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024
Many of the young men peeling away from the Democrats came of age during in the social paroxysms of recent years: #MeToo, DEI, online cancellations—cultural changes that some men interpreted as hostile to them.
—Charlotte Alter, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024
For Fu, a 24-year-old graduate student in Beijing, this month’s paroxysms don’t change much on the ground.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2024
One to two weeks after the first symptoms start, people may develop paroxysms, or coughing fits, that usually last one to six weeks but can last up to 10 weeks.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysm
Noun
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Crew abandoned the vessel following multiple explosions onboard but all are safe and accounted for.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
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In addition to Tesla’s troubles, Musk’s social network X experienced several outages throughout the day on Monday, and his aerospace and defense company SpaceX is investigating two explosions in a row that occurred during test flights of its massive Starship rocket.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The long-term ramifications of these cuts remain to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Department of Education is facing a period of significant upheaval.—
Scott White,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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Jane was a devout Protestant at a time of religious upheaval, the ultimate innocent victim of the chicanery of the Tudor court in the chaotic aftermath of Henry VIII’s reign.—
Pan Pylas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This is all happening as severe storm system is forecast to move through the central and southern parts of the nation late this week in a multi-day outburst with strong tornadoes, hail and damaging winds expected.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
12 Mar. 2025
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This is all happening as a severe storm system is forecast to move through the central and southern parts of the country late this week in a multiday outburst with tornadoes, hail and damaging winds expected.—
Seth Borenstein,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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He has not been charged with any crimes over his activities during campus unrest at the university, which proponents say were aimed at curbing support for Israel and do not amount to antisemitic attacks on Jews.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2025
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Authorities blamed the unrest on armed remnants of the Assad government, but acknowledged that some of the civilian killings were the fault of undisciplined factions or individual actors.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Instead of using stress as a momentary burst of energy to handle a challenge, your nervous system stays trapped in a hypervigilant state, constantly preparing for the next emotional shift.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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The second half opened with another Cathedral scoring burst, extending the lead in the first minute-and-a-half of the third to 18 following a three by Allen-Paisley.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The New Year That Never Came, a drama about the Romanian revolution of 1989, written and directed by Bogdan Muresanu, won the Grand Prix, the top prize, at the 15th edition of the Luxembourg City Film Festival (LuxFilmFest) on Saturday.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Mar. 2025
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This is a philosophical revolution as much as a technological one, forcing us to reconsider what advertising should be in an era of boundless automation.—
Mike Villalobos,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This indicates that an eruption is likely within the next few weeks or months.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA TODAY,
14 Mar. 2025
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Alaska's Mount Spurr, an active volcano near the most populated region in the state, is getting even closer to an eruption, according to volcanologists.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Researchers found the drug often leaves users immobile and unresponsive and can cause intense emotional reactions, euphoria, convulsions, and vomiting.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
11 Mar. 2025
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Serious health complications are possible, especially in children younger than 5, such as pneumonia — the most common cause of death from measles in young children — and swelling of the brain, which can trigger convulsions and lead to deafness or intellectual disability.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Paroxysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysm. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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